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Photographic 

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method: 


1 

2 

3 

L'exemplaire  filmd  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
gdndrositd  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6X6  reproduites  avec  le 
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conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

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par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  axemplaires 
originaux  sont  film^s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — »►  signifie  "A  SUiVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  gtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichd,  il  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  6  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


22X 


i 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

THINK  WELh  ON'T : 

OB, 

BEFLECTIONS 

ON  THE 

GREAT    TRUTHS      * 

•OF  THB 

CHRISTIAN  RELIGION, 

FOB 

JEVERY  DAY  OF  THE  MKHE. 


BYR.  CHALLONER,  DD. 

cftSi,^®'''-^''"""  "?"  *^®  Jan  J  made  desolate-  b«. 
cause  there  is  none  that  considereth  in  W?heart 

Jeremias  xii.  11 

NEW  YORK : 

D.  &  J.  SADLIER  &  CO.  164  WILLIAM  ST. 

BOSTON:   128  FEDERAL-STBEBT. 

MONTREAL,    C.  E.  : 

COtt    KOTRK-DAMi:  AND   8T.  KRAJfCIS   XATaK-nU. 
1864. 


i 


INTRODUCTION. 


I.  Make  choice  of  a  proper  time  and  place 
for    ecollecion;  and  ehut  .he  door  of  .h, 

II.  Place  thyself  in  the  presence  of  Godj 
represenung  his  incomprehensible  Majesty  J 
hyself  by  a  lively  faith,  as  filling  L  ve 

bufes!"  /he"?'  '"'""^  ""'"  ""  "-  -A 
Dates  in  the  very  centre  of  thy  soul      Pm  J 

trate  thyself  in  spirit  before  li^io  !Z 
.h.s  sovereign  Lord,  make  an  en.i;e  offeSg 
of  thyself  ,0  him,  humbly  begging  his  naf 
don  for  a„  thy  past  treason's  agffnst'ht. ' "" 

vou  and™h  '■'r "  "«•"  ""<•  «"«=«  *'«•>  for- 
the  gospel  may  maite  so  deep  an  impression 
on  thy  soul,  that  thou  mayest  efflctZl^ 
lean,  to  love  and  fear  him.  "««B""y 

IV.  Head  the  chapter  for  the  day  leisurely 

•oul  time  to  digest  what  thou  ,rt  t^g, 


4 

INTEODUCTION. 

to  Arn^  r,         ,  prayer,  endeavour 

to  draw  from  ,hy  considerations  auch  affec- 
Uons  as  are  suitable  to  the  subject,  by  oxci 

«I  ituda  f      r    .      "  '"  ^'^  goodness- 
gratuude  for  h.s  benefits-a  horror  of  sin 

and  smcere  repentance  for  thy  past  sins  Z' 

.hen  open  thy  heart  as  much  a's  po^^  L^: 

tarv^:;""'  """  '"  ">-«  Srel  and  n  ! 
.hyZ'""  '"''  '""^  •'•^  "^-P-  -ot  in 

VI.  Conclude  with  ri.<.nl»;„» 
ment  of  l,f^   •    •  "^"""ig  on  amend- 

ment of  hfe,  insisting  in  particular  on  those 
fatUngs  to  which  thou  art  most  subject  a,!! 
finn  y  determining  within  thyself  to  pu;  !hf 
reaoluttonsthou  hast  made  in'executVn;: 

viirT:  ?  ""^  °"" '"»'  -^y  <Jay 

,k.  ;■  ffoquently  in  the  course  of 

^e  day  on  the  chief  points  of  .ho  subject 
of   hy  constderation,  lest  the  enemy  rob  tly 

Md  conBa^rin;""  '""  ""'  ""»  ""«»« 


I 


CONTENTS. 


Days. 

«  On  the  necessity  of  consideration,  .    .    7 

2  On  the  end  of  our  creation,    .     .  ,1 

3  On  the  benefits  of  God, J! 

4  On  tlto  dignity  and  obligation" of  a" 

Christian,      . 

6  On  T  T""-^  "^  '^''^'°'^^'    '•"•*•'  2 

8  On  the  sentiments  we  shall  "have  at"  ^^ 
the  hour  of  death,     .  ^ 

"  \^^    P"'i<">l"  judgment    after' 
10  On  the  great  accounting  diy,'     '.    '.    '.Z 

U  On  the  last  sentence  of  the  good  and 
bad,     ,     , 

13  On  hell.       ..'.'.'.' ^ 

14  On  the  exterior  pain8,of  hell/     !     !     '  7c 
J^  un  the  interior  pains  of  hell,      .     .     '  i^ 

16  On  a  miserable  eternity,     .  'Z 

17  On  heaven,  ^^ 

•    ...  93 


Days. 

18  On  the  small 


CONTENTS. 


Pag< 


100 
107 
112 


"- mortal  ^in:""""*'"^  •"-'- 

SO  On  the  relapsing  3i„„e;.;    [    [ 

^  On  domg  penance  for  our  Bins,  ,,„ 

22  Against  delay  of  renpn..„  '     "  ''® 

«3  On  .in,e  and'et  rZ        "'    '    *    "  "' 

24  On  .he  presence  o  "Sod *'' 

^  On  .he  passion  of  cS,  and  firs."  ''' 

tZr^-  '-  -  ---Of- 
^5  On^„„  «.,;„„;„-_;    .^^^^..4. 

"";Sd''^--^---"r-«"" 
28  0urSavi„„ris.cou;geda"..-hepi,iar:"' 

^  ouTLrrca::;:;  1-°™-  •  •  •  '^ 

nailed  to  it  ""''  ^"-^  '» 

30  Our  Saviour  o;.;e;r„;s;    .'    [    '     '  |^f 

3'On.hedeatl.ofourSavi;ur.  •.•    ^ 

Rules  of  a  Christian  life.  "    ?? 

Acts  of  faith,  hope,  and  chari.;,:       i^I 


>n«A 


■' 


Pag«. 
t.  .  100 
.  .  107 
.  .  112 
•  .  118 
.  .  126 
.  .  131 
.  136 
rst, 
of 

.  142 

ai> 

.  148 

ite 

.  155 
r, 

.  162 
is 

.  168 
.  174 
.  180 
.  187 
.  191 


THINK  WELL  ON'T. 


FIRST  DAY. 

ON   THE  NECESSITY  OF  CONSIDERATIOI.. 

Consider,  ^rst,  those  words  of  th. 

of  all  our  evils     A  n,  •  th»   °'"^'^«°"''ce 
of.an.i„dseldo.r„;tSC'.^^^^^^^ 

arej.stalx>uttostep.^!S^°J,''l^',h«7 

It  they  were  only  made  for  this    !fc 
or  were  always  to  dwell  here      i£ 


Ill 


fif 


If 


u 

°  ON  THE  NECESSITY 

thoughts  of  Death,  Judgment,  Heaven 
and  Hell,  mke  but  little  or  nolmpT^' 
«  on  upon  them,  because  the?  Z  no 
aUow  them  to  sink  deep  into  th^eirsouk 

They  ru?r  "'^■r'T  ^""^''^^ratiol: 
1  noy  run  on,  w,th  their  eyes  shut,  to 

and  tKS  SZ  t™trf  f  ^^"''^ 
finH  fk         /  ^*"  ^^  ^"^"^>  when  thcv 

fht-KTh7Se!^"'""'=^''^"'"'«' 
Consider,  seconrf/^,  that  wo  cannn» 

»n^  him   above  all   things.     Now  wr 
can  neither  know,  nor  Zof.  him  ^s  we 

«o«.     It  ,s  this  which  discovers  to  us 
B.ZT  f '•'^«'ion«  of  this  sovereign 

wve,  and  ail  the  benefits  which  he  has 
bestowed  upon  us  his  most  undeservW 
and  ungrateful  creatures.  All  which 
alas!  make  no  impression  on  us  w  Z 
-ui  serious  consideration.  Every  ihiZ 
about  us,  the  heavens,  the  earth,  and  all 


I 


OF  CONSIDERATION. 


9 


HEAVEN; 

0  impres- 
y  do  not 
leir  souls 
deration, 
shut,  to 
eternity, 
lien  they 
place  of 
n^er  die, 
uenched. 
AjI  that 

cannot 
and  lov- 
row  we 
•j  as  we 
isidera- 
s  to  us 
vercign 
eternal 
he  has 
erving 
which, 

!    tvifli- 

'  thing 
ind  all 


creatures  therein,  cease  not  to  preach 
God  unto  us,  and  invite  us  to  love  him: 
but  without  consideration  wo  remain 
deaf  to  the  voice  of  the  whole  creation; 
we  are  like  those  that  have  eyes,  and 
see  not;  ears,  and  hear  not.  Ah!  the 
great  and  dreadful  mischiefs  that  flow 
from  the  want  of  that  true  knowledge 
of  God,  which  is  the  fruit  of  daily  con- 
sideration! Is  it  not  upon  this  account 
that  the  whole  world  is  over-run  with 
wickedness;  and  that  hell  opens  wide 
its  tremendous  jaws,  devouring  without 
end  or  number  the  unhappy  children 
of  Adam,  because  God  is  forgotten,  be- 
cause there  is  no  knowledge  of  God  ujh 
on  earth?  Osee  iv.  1. 

Consider,  thirdly,  that  in  order  to 
save  our  souls  we  must  be  sensible  of 
our  own  misery  and  corruption,  that 
we  may  become  humble  and  diffident  in 
ourselves:  we  must  know  our  irregular 
inclinations  and  passions,  that  we  may 
fight  against  them,  and  overcom.e  them: 
— we  must  study  and  watch  over  the 
motions  of  our  own  hearts,  that  we  may 
not  be  surprised  by  sin,  and  sleep  in 


ON,  THE  NECESSITY 

and  vef  n^^     "^     "^  know  all  fu- 

f  ■•««'  me  the  g/:;etT'"  "'^'  "S' 
grant  me  grace  ",„  t  '^""^  ^^^^,  Lord  • 
'e'  us  labour  to    '°  ^"°^  '":>'self:»Z," 

fifej^afton.  ''y  frequent  const- 

^ay  of  v.-.f    ^^  ourselves  nt  •      ."® 

~to*  Of  .„■"„:■„  t,""'--«»  £ 

^on  the  vanifxr      •      '^^  ^^^  ParticnJn. 

^  ♦ 


^^  necessary 
'  science  of 
'\^t  the  help 
!•  how  un- 

,^"  things, 
jiemselves! 

^;  "Lord! 
^^e,  Lordf 
seif:"  and 
two  most 

^t    COW52- 

oi'der  to 
^rne  fear 

o^  true 

in  the 
-n'ously 
ind  the 
■  dread- 
?n  the 
icular: 
Jeitful- 
!'t  and 

awfuj 
nthe 


OF  CONSIDERATION. 


11 


»■«• 


certainty  and  uncertainty  of  death: 

on  the  sentiments  we  should  have  when 
we  come  to  die;  and  on  the  small  num- 
ber of  the  elect,  &c.     Ah!  Christians, 
let  us  not  neglect  this  great  means 
of  salvation !    It  was  the  consideration 
I  of  these  truths    that   made  so  many 
I  samts;— that    has  so   often    reclaimed 
even  the  most  abandoned  sinners.     Oh. 
what  a   pj-ofound    lethargy   must   not 
that  soul    be   immersed   in,   which   is 
not  roused   at    the   thunder   of  those 
dreadful  truths.  Death,— Judgment,— 
Hell, — Eternity. 

Consider,  Jifthly,  the  bitter  but  fruit- 
less repentance  of  the  damned,  con- 
demnmg  their  past  folly  for  having 
thought  so  little  on  ^hose  things  on 
which  they  shall  now  think  for  an  end- 
less eternity.  «  Senseless  wretches  as 
we  were!  we  once  had  time,  when,  by 
thinking  upon  this  miserable  eternity, 
we  might  have  escaped  it.  Those  end- 
less joys  of  heaven  were  offered  to  us 
at  a  cheap  rate,  when  a  little  reflection 
might  have  put  us  in  the  way  of  secur- 
ing to  ourselves  the  everlasting  posses- 


12 


^^  THE  END 


sion  of  them      R.,* 

«''«".•  and  n:;.,a^r^)^°"W  not  think 

"y  soul !  learn  to  ll'     •      °°  '««e.''    c 

""ngs  that  apnertafn   !^  t^^'  ««  the 

tote  on  the  great  tr.uh^  ^1?'  ^"'''-  medi- 
«"•  thou  musTeither^L  \°^"'*^  «°«PeJ: 
or  hereafter,  when^.    ".^  °^them  now 

r"I  only  servl  to  ai.    '^'°"^^'  "^  'hem 
'^f  all  eternity,     ^^^ravate  thy  mf^ery 

SECOND  DAY. 

Consider,  /fy,,  o  ru  ■  ■ 
«o  many  yeC;^„^J"«''a„  soul!  that 
come  into  the  worW  in^.  J*''"'  "ot  yet 
,^a^  a  mere  noTh inrVh"'  "^^  ^"S 
lasted  near  six  thotanH  "^"'^^  ^^^ 
mnumerable  transaction,  ^'."'■''  ^'th 
tions  ,n  every  na7on  /"^   '^^o'"- 

hou  ail  thJZZ7~A^'i,^here.yast 


5uid  not  think 
too  Jate."  c 
by  their  mis- 
y  ^ay,  on  the 

^'^y  eternal 
'^end;n)edi- 

the  Gospel  : 
'f  them  now 

^^^  or  them 
thy  misery 


OF   0T7R  CREATION. 


13 


ATION. 

soul ! that 
5t  not  yet 
^^y  being 
^'orld  has 
^i's,  with 
'   re  vol  u- 
lere  wast 
lou  wast 

'  of  the 
^st  thou 


0  m  such  a  state  ?    Learn  then  to  hum- 

Me  thyself,  whatever  advantages  thou 

nayest  enjoy  of  nature  or  grace,  since 

)t  thyself  thou  art  nothing;  and,  all 

(hat  thou  hast  above  nothing,  has  been 

?iven  or  lent  thee  by  thy  Maker.    Ah! 

DOor  wretch,  what  hast  thou  then  to 

)e  proud  of?  or  what  canst  thou  call 

Viy  own,  but  nothing,  and  sin,  which  is 

hvorse  than  nothing? 

Consider,  secowt^/y,  that  the  almighty 
land  of  God,  descending  into  the  deep 
ibyss  of  nothing,  has  drawn  thee  forth 
trom  thence,  and  given  thee  the  being 
thou  now  enjoyest,  the   most  accom- 
plished and  perfect  of  any  in  this  visi- 
ble world;  capable  of  knowing  and  lov- 
ing  God  in  this  life,  and  designed  for 
the  enjoyment  of  everlasting  happiness 
with   hmi   in   the  next.     Admire  and 
adore   the    bounty   of  thy   God,   who, 
Irom  all  eternity,  has  designed  this  be- 
mg  for  thee,   preferable   to  so  many 
millions  of  others  which  he  Las  left  b« 


^g 


hind,  that  had  £is  fai#a  title  to  a  bei- 
as  thou  hadst.     Look  forward  into  thai 
immense  eternity  for  which  thou  hast 


14 


«N  THE  END 


has   neither    bSina      ''  '^^'^  «heo 
-aches  ft.o„,  Sky^fo  eTrnit^    '"' 

£- or  ilSf '"^^- 1 ^^^  • 

«nd  art  owld  to  ^  "^'"  '°  ^'•"' 
service  all  f y  pow.  °  T'l"  »°  his 
fenses;  and  arf /uiUv  'f  """"'"''  «°d 
'"justice,  aa  ofteft'^tho^\T'  '^7'"^ 
pan  of  thy  beina  h„  ahusest  any 

the  pursuit^of  vanl'tvLw"'^'"^'"^  ''  '» 
poor  soul,  hoJuZ  Z  '"•  ^^-  "^ 
thought  of  th^»     h!.  ^^'"'  r  ''"herto 

o-  'houghtsXrds't,Sri°^ 
i*eferred  to  him  v^u^-  ®'  ^^^  been 

"■>  and  there"o7e'r  hTt'ot',.'"^'"- 
^nd  of  all  our  action"?  r«  'r^ '^' 
:^;;^so  great  an  Ee^f^-tS 

«-7h'eT  thf s^^r  .««^  -ho 

«fralonrZtTr.^.*'?-/orhim: 


J^ot  that  he  stood 


m  need 


«D 

J^^ully  acknow- 
^od  bears  thee 

nor   end,    but 

eternity. 

^Jng  created 
aving  received 
^j  thou  hy  the 
"gest  to  him, 
ecrate  to  his 
lacullies,  and 
1  most  crying 

abusest  any 
ploying  it  in 

^n-    Ah!mv 
^e  hitherto 
^^I  a  part  of 
"^s,  has  been 
first  begin- 
^  be  the  last 
e  confound- 
•^epent  and 

GocI    who 

ho  createil 

world  f«« 

'  ^or  him- 
^  in  need 


OF  OUR   CREATION.  I5 

of  thee,  or  can  receive  from  thee  anv 
increase  or  addition  to  hi^  K.  •  ^ 
but  that  he  might  dve  thl  v^^^''"''' 
in  this  life,  and'l^  nkss  iovs^^^^^^^^ 
kingdom  in  the  ne^t    %7   i^   ^^  ^^^ 

Die  an  end!  and  since  thou  wert  r^^L 

wuh  any  thing  less  than  God  fear„ 
then  to  contemn  all  that  is  p^hki  ? 
temporal,  as  things  Eeath  thJI^  ""^ 
unworthy  of  thy  affection      r  '  ^."'^ 

past  foll^  and  l^Xe  gi^s^pS 
of  mankind,  who  spend  their  dayrYn 
vain  amusements  and    restlp«  /= 

about  painted  toys  and'meftrTfle?.' 
e^d  fo  °UTT  ^'"''•"g  ^f  that  gSt 
this'woria      '"^  '^°"'  ^''^J^  '^^'"^  '«to 

wHI  !^?h5""'"^'  "'^  "'y  soul,  viz.  th^ 

.W  '^^d  In  "Jf'»°'-y.-thy   understand^ 
•lb,  and  all  the  senses  and  r..-.«»  „f  .i,.. 

^y.were  given  thee  by  thy  "Crrato/ 
"ly  creation,  to  be  employed  during 


h 


16 


ON   THE   BENEFITS   OF   GOD. 


I 


thy  short  abode  in  this  k*ansitory  life, 
in  the  service  of  thy  God,  and  to  con- 
duct thee  to  the  eternal  enjoyment  of 
him  in  the  sweet  repose  of  his  blessed 
kingdom.  Alas!  my  soul,  have  we  not 
perverted  all  these  gifts  of  our  Maker, 
by  turning  them  all  against  the  Giver. 
Have  mercy  upon  us,  O  Lord!  have 
mercy  upon  usj  pardon  our  past  trea- 
sons, and  give  us  grace  to  begin  now 
•  to  be  wise  for  eternity. 


THIRD  DAY. 

ON   THE    BENEFITS   OF  GOD. 

Consider,  ^/irst,  my  soul !  how  many 
and  great  are  thy  obligations  to  the 
bounty  of  thy  God.  He  has  thought 
of  thee  from  all  eternity;  he  has  loved 
thee  from  all  eternity:  all  the  blessings 
and  favours,  which  he  has  bestowed 
upon  thee  in  time,  he  designed  for  thee 
from  all  eternity:  they  are  all  the  con- 
sequences of  his  eternal  love  for  thee. 
Is  it  possible  that  so  great  a  God,  the 
Most  High  and  Most  Holy,  who  dwells 


I 


OK   THE   BENEFITS   OF   GOD.  17 

in  eternity,  should  set   his  affections 

eTthrts  ^P°°^?■"'•"'  worm  of Z 
earmr     Is    it   possib  e,   mv  snnH   t^o* 

thou  sI,ouldst  have  h;da%  ace"  £ 
all  eternity  in  the  heart  of  thy  gT 
and  that  th.s  eternal  n,i„d  shouW  nevtr' 

.'^^"on^IeT^"hr"' '^'•''-'  '•>'"" 
return  hL,f.h  i'T  '"■°"='^'  ^hat 

love?  Hn  I  ?"  u"^^  ^"^  'his  ancient 
love  f    How  late  hast  thou  loved  him 

HOW    ittle  hast  thou   thought  of  him 

who  always  thinks  on  thecr         '""' 

Consider,  secondlj,,  that  thy  God  has 

^™    ?i°„!fy  rS'-l  "olhiDB.  »bic5 
..:.-'„ "'.™'".°'y  »•>•  taen  tty  ra_  if 


£  «od  had  but  for  u„«  moment  v 
<l«awn  his  supporting  hand.    Poor 


one  moment  with- 
siu- 


18 


ON    THE   BENEFITS   OF  GOD. 


ner!  why  didst  thou  not  think  of  this, 
when  by  thy  repeated  crimes  thou  wast 
waging  war  against  thy  God;  and  he, 
with  incomparable  love,  was  night  and 
day  watching  over  thee?  How  didst 
thou  dare  presume  so  often  and  for  so 
long  a  time  to  provoke  him,  who  held 
the  thread  of  thy  life  in  his  hand,  and 
who  every  moment  could  have  crushed 
thee  into  nothing,  or  cast  thee  head- 
long into  hell!  O!  blessed  for  ever  by 
all  creatures  be  his  mercy,  for  having 
borne  with  thee  so  long. 

Consider,  thirdly^  the  inestimable  ben- 
efit of  our  redemption,  by  which  our 
loving  God  has  rescued  us  from  sin, 
and  from  hell,  the  just,  reward  of  sin. 
Alas!  my  poor  soul,  we  must  have  been 
lost  for  ever,  had  not  this  sovereign 
Lord  and  Maker  of  heaven  and  e^rth 
loved  us  to  that  degree  as  to  deliver 
himself  up  to  the  most  cruel  and  igno- 
minious death  of  the  cross  for  our  re- 
demption.    Greater  love  than  this  no 

-  -  -  '  •       74A 


iiiau    nut 


/I,     lllUb      UllO      lUl/ 


for  his  friend,  St.  John  xv.  13.     But, 
O  dear  Lord!  thou  hast  carried  thy 


ON  THE  BENEFITS   OF  OOD.  JQ 

love  much  farther,  in  dying  for  those 
who  by  sin  were  thy  decla.?.,!  „L  •  ' 
in  dying  for  such  /ngTalelf ,~««; 
as  would  scarce  evef  S  Th^f  for' 

Krita^.f 'i^^-'  ^--K' 

Whom  the^ll\t -Tl^tti 
^mg,  or  rather  less  than  nothrg)  eT 

fs:rwe^r/:rZte^:^E\ 

«e  notice  of  such  immense  love,  which 


thft   t 


dition,  void  as  they  are  of  .„«  . 

««uge  of  Jesus  Christ,  or  of  his  onh. 

hK  *^r '■"''  ^^'holic  church !    Ho^ 
I'ttle  do  they  think  of  God,  or  of  Z 


20 


ON   THE    BENEFITS   OF   GOD. 


life  to  come!     With  how  little  appre- 
hension or  remorse  do  they  run  on  from 
sin  to  sin,  and  die  impenitent!     Ah!  the 
goodness  of  God,  that  has  not  suffered 
us  to  fall  into  such  misery,  though  born 
and  bred  up  amidst  a  people  seduced  by 
error!  or,  if  we  have  also  had  the  mis- 
fortune, like  our   neighbours,  to  have 
gone  astray  from  the  womb,  has  by  a 
more  distinguishing   mercy  drawn  us 
out  of  the  dragon's  jaws,  and  brought 
us   to  his  fold,  the  Catholic  Church! 
Blessed  be  our  God  for  ever  for  all  his 
mercies.     O!  what^n  inestimable  hap- 
piness it  is  to  have,  by  the  means  of 
this  grace  of  vocation,  God  himself  for 
our  Father,  and  his  holy  Church  for 
our  Mother!     To  pass  this  transitory 
life  in  the  happy  society  of  the  only 
Spouse  of  God's  only  Son!  to  be  daily 
partakers  of  the  sacraments,  those  heav- 
enly conduits  of  divine  grace!  to  live 
and  die  in  the  communion  of  the  saints, 
&c.    Ah!  Blessed  are  the  people  who 
have  the  Lord /or  their  God.  Ps.  cxlin. 
CoNsiDER,^///i?y,  Christian  soul !  who- 
ever thou  art,  the  particular  providence 


ON   THE   DIGNliTY  ETC.  21 

of  God  towards  thee !     With  how  man v 

graces  has  he  prevented  thee  fi^  "^^ 

ender  years:  from  how  many  mTsfor 

tunes  has  he  preserved  thee/ K  he 

not  borne  with  thee  for  a  lomT^e 

Mns/    Are  there  not  millions  now  an 

tually  burning  in  hell   for  lesser  s.nt 

han  thou  hast  committed?    Reflect  on 

he  advantages  thou  hast  received  atve 

ihTf"'-7^^'  conveniences  of  S 
what  fnends,  what  health,  &c.  while 

ZT^l"""/^  worthy  than   hyselfZve 
been  abandoned  to  want  and  misery 

01  thy  God  to  thee:  be  astonished  and 
confounded  at  thy  past  ingratitude:  re- 
solve  from  henceforth  never  to  ceie 

FOURTH  DAY, 

On  the  dignity  and, obligation  op 
a  christian. 

by  na"^^'"^"'  /r*''  *''^'  «^«'y  Christian 
t>/  nature,  and  inasmuch  as  he  is  a  man. 


ii 


22 


ON   THE   DIGNITY   Ax^D 


I 


is  the  most  perfect  of  all  visible  crea- 
tures; endowed  with  understanding  and 
reason;  composed  of  a  body  whose  struc- 
ture is  admirable,  and   of  a  spiritual 
and  immortal  soul,  created  to  the  image 
and  likeness  of  God,  and  capable  of  the 
eternal  enjoyment  of  him ;  enriched  with 
a  free  will,  and  advanced  by  his  Crea- 
tor to  the  dignity  of  lord  and  master  of 
all  other  creatures;  though  not  design- 
ed to  meet  with  his  happiness  in  any 
of  them,  but  in  the  Creator  alone.     Ahl 
my  soul,  hast  thou  hitherto  been  sensi- 
ble of  the  dignity  of  thy  nature?     Hast 
thou  not  too  often,  like  brute  beasts, 
looked  no  farther  than  this  earth,  viz. 
present,  material,  and  sensible  things? 
Hast  thou  not  too  often  made  thyself  a 
slave  to  creatures,  which  were  only 
made  to  serve  thee? 

Consider,  secondly,  that  every  Chris- 
tian, by  grace,  and  inasmuch  as  he  is  a 
Christian,  has  been  by  the  sacranient 
of  baptism  advanced  to  the  participa- 
!i3  divine  nature,  made  the 
,,M  c^  God,— heir  of  God, 


tion 
adopted 


and  co-heir  rul 


ii  Chri?t.    He  has  been 


i 


*%* 


le  crea- 
ing  and 
e  struc- 
piritual 
B  image 
3  of  the 
icd  with 
is  Crea- 
ister  of 
design- 
in  any 
e.    Ah  I 
in  sensi- 
?    Hast 
beasts, 
rth,  viz. 
things? 
hyself  a 
re  only 

y  Chris- 
s  he  is  a 
crament 
articipa- 
lade  the 
of  God, 
las  been 


I  .       OBLIGATIONS   OF  A   CHUISTIAN.       23 

made  the  temple  of  the  Most  IIiVh,con- 

01  Christ,  mJ  the  unction  of  his  -race- 
and  receP.ed  at  the  same  time  mTn 
questionable  right  and  title  to  an  ever-' 
asting  kingdom.  O  Christian  sou P 
hast  thou  ever  yet  entertained  a  se- 
nous  thought  of  the  greatness  of  the 

.  f'gj^'ty  to  whiQh  thou  hast  been  lied 
at  baptism?  How  has  thv  life  corS 
nonded  with  this  dignity?  0»  chTld 
of  heaven,  ho:v  Ion|  wilt  thou  Z. 
slave  to  the  earth?  ^"^  ^ 

the  obligations  that  attend  this  dignitv 
greater  than   the  generality  of  cS 
tians  imagine.     These  obligations  are 
briefly  comprised  in  our  baptismal  en 
gagements.     The  first  condition  upon 

-y  by  oaptism,  was  that  o£ faith  tZ 
minister  of  Christ  examined  us'at  tL 
font  upon  every  article  of  our  hJlf, 
ana  10  each  interrogation  we  answered' 

mothers,  Crcdo,^I  do  believe.    What 


■"C'^^flkit-m-mimmmm 


i 

1 

if) 


24 


ON   THE   DIGNITY  AND 


has  thy  faith  been,  O  my  soul?  Has  it 
been  conformable  to  this  thy  profession? 
Has  it  been  Jirm  without  wavering?  Has 
it  been  generous,  so  as  not  to  be  ashamed 
of  the  doctrine  of  thy  heavenly  Master, 
or  the  maxims  of  his  gospel?  Has  it 
shown  itself  in  thy  actions?  or  hast  thou 
not  been  of  the  number  of  those  whose 
life  gives  the  lie  to  their  faith?  Of 
whom  the  apostle  complains,  Tit.  i.  16. 
Who  make  profession  of  knowing  God, 
but  deny  him  by  their  works. 

Consider,  fourthly,  that  at  our  bap- 
tism we  made  a  solemn  renunciation  of 
the  devil,  and  all  his  works,  auii^all  his 
pomps.  Have  we  ever  seriously  re- 
flected upon  this  renunciation?  or  do 
we  rightly  understand  the  obligations 
of  it?  And  yet  our  title  to  the  inheri- 
tance of  our  heavenly  Father  is  for- 
feited the  moment  we  are  false  to  this 
sacred  engagement.  Ah!  my  soul,  if 
thou  hast  renounced  Satan,  take  care 
that  in  the  practice  of  thy  life  thou 
keep  lar  irom  mm:  iuku  oaic  tuuw  ^--w 
no  longer  his  slave  by  sin.  Fly  from 
all  his  works,  the  works  of  darkness 


?    Hash 

rofession? 
ing?  Has 
!  ashamed 
y  Master, 
?  Has  it 
hast  thou 
Dse  whose 
iith?  Of 
Tit.  i.  16. 
wing  God, 

our  bap- 
ciation  of 
ni^i^all  his 
iously  re- 
)n?  or  do 
)bligations 
;he  inheri- 
ler  is  for- 
ilse  to  this 
y  soul,  if 
take  care 
life  thou 


OBLIGATIONS   OF   A   CHRISTIAN.       25 

let  him  henceforth  find  nothing  in  theo 
that  .he  may  claim  for  his  own!  and  bv 
means  of  which  he  may  also  kv  claim 
to  thee.    Despise  his  vain  S.   the 
false  appearance  of  worldly  gSeur 
the  prodigality,  vanity,  and  sinful  amuse' 
ments  by  which  he  allures  poor  word 
mgs  into  his  net:  and  if  a?  any  time 
hou  art  invited  to  take  part  in  tE 
fooleries,  repeat  to  thysel/^those  wS'ds 

CoNsimRffait,,  that  at  baptism  each  ' 

o  thrSnl?  '°;^  n-^ient'cerlonj 
with  a  wh  t.  ^^'""'^'  ^^«  ^lo'hed 
ilter  of  Ph  •  .  garment,  which  the  min 

Zl?Zrt-f''f  ^'"■'""''^'  ""^^'^^  thou 

-Uls  that  compiy^r  thi?  tt" 
What  a  comfort  will  it  be  to  themTn 
We,  what  a  joy  and  satisfaction  in  d™.L" 

iv^  ijuve  Rent  thic  ■^r.u^  ^r  •  ^"^ 

innocence  un- 
innocence. 


♦  .TV        1 

I"  iiiX, 

defiled 


where  <5h«n  «  ^  "^P"smai  innocence, 
wnere  shall  we  find  thee  in  this  unhap- 


r^ 


26 


ON   THE   VANITY 


mi 


!'■=: 


J 


! 


py  age?  O!  blindness  and  stupidity 
of  the  children  of  Adam,  that  part  so 
easily  with  so  inestixnable  a  treasure. 
Alas!  my  poor  soul,  has  it  not  been  thy 
misfortune?  01  make  haste  then  to 
wash  away,  with  penitential  tears,  those 
dreadful  stains  of  sin,  which  must  other- 
wise become  the  eternal  fuel  of  hell's 
merciless  flames. 


FIFTH  DAY. 

ON   THE    VANITY   OF   THE   WORLD. 

Consider,  first,  those  words  of  the 
wisest  of  men,  Eccles.  i.  Vanity  of  van- 
ities, and  all  is  vanity:  and  reflect  how 
truly  vain  are  all  those  things  which 
deluded  worldlings  pursue  with  so  much 
eagerness.  Honours,  riches,  and  world- 
ly pleasures,  are  all  but  painted  bub- 
bles, which  look  at  a  distance  as  if  they 
were  something,  but  have  nothing  of 
real  substance  in  them;  and,  instead  of 
a  solid  content  and  joy,  bring  nothing 
with  them  but  a  trifling  momentary 
satisfaction,  followed  by  cares,  uneasi- 


OF  THE   WORLD. 


27 


I  stupidity 
lat  part  so 
1  treasure. 
)t  been  thy 
:e  then  to 
;ears,  those 
iQust  other- 
3l  of  hell's 


WORLD. 

rds  of  the 
nity  of  van- 
reflect  how 
ings  which 
ith  so  much 
,  and  world- 
ainted  bub- 
e  as  if  they 
nothing  .of 
,  instead  of 
ng  nothing 
momentary 
res,  uneasi- 


ness, apprehensions,  and  remorse.    Ah 

i  ^"^^^^^  ^"^^.  at  which  their  admirers 

i^  no  sooner  offer  to  grasp,  but  they  d is- 

jsolve  into  air,  and  leave  their  hands 

|empty!     O !  how  justly  were  all  S 

My  enjoyments  compared  by  the  royal 

Prophet  to  a  di^^am?    Dormierunt  som 

Pmsmm    et  nihil  invenerunt  omnes 

XXV.  I  hey  have  slept  out  their  short 
Meep,  and  when  they  awoke  they  found 
bothmg  m  their  hands  of  all  those  things, 

ossess.       O!  ye  sons  of  men,  how  lon^ 

CirT  I'n    1^"' ^'^'^^^  ^^^^'^^'  ««^  run 
^Jter  lies?  Psalm  iv. 

Consider,  secondly,  that  saying  of  St. 
"f  "^^^"'^onfes.  L.  i.  c.  1.  \hou  to 
^ade  us,  O  Lord!  for  thyself:  and  our 

nd  reflect,  that  our  great  Creator  has 
Siven  us  a  noble  soul,  made  to  his  own 

&/  and  like  him  spiritual  and  im- 
"wnal;  which  therefore  n,^n  n. 
iiness    * 


happ 


earthly  and   fading 


hings.    No,  my  soul!  thou  hast  a, 
lerstanding  and  a  will  capable  of 


an  un- 
con- 


28 


ON   THE   VANITY 


!''  ' 


templating  the  sovereign  beauty  and 
sovereign  truth,  and  of  enjoying  the 
one  supreme  infinite  Good;  and  what- 
ever is  less  than  he,  is  not  worthy  of 
thee.  Ah!  resolve  then  no  longer  to 
fatigue  thyself,  and  waste  away  thy 
spirits  in  running  like  a* child  after  but- 
terflies :  but  since  thou  canst  not  be 
without  seeking  for  happiness,  seek  it, 
in  the  name  of  God,  where  it  is  to  be 
found,  viz.  in  the  way  of  virtue  and  de- 
votion, and  not  in  the  by-paths  which 
lead  to  endless  misery. 

Consider,  thirdly,  the  shortness  of 
all  worldly  enjoyments.  The  days  of 
man  are  very  short:  the  longest  life  is 
less  than  a  moment,  when  compared 
with  eternity.  A  tJiousand  years,  in 
the  sight  of  God,  the  very  truth,  are  but 
as  yesterday  that  is  past  and  gone,  Ps. 
Ixxxix.  Alas !  does  not  daily  experience 
convince  us,  that  we  are  here  to-day, 
and  gone  to-morrow,  and  no  sooner  out 
of  sight,  but  also  out  of  mind  ?    For  as 

soon   as  IVA  nro  in     iVta    n-fn'^m     4-U^r.^  *U.»* 

we  leave  behind  think  no  more  of  us: 
All  Jlesh  is  grass,  says   the   prophet 


Iw 

fa 

>ii 

[V. 

^s 
m 
ror 

y 

fin 

pi 
(fi 
nei 
^e  : 
C 
loin 

lOSi 

leg, 

fur 
ley 

parci 


TAm     . 


1  beauty  and 
enjoying  the 
)d,-  and  what- 
lot  worthy  of 
no  longer  to 
ite  away  thy 
hild  after  but- 
canst  not  be 
•iness,  seek  it,  i 
re  it  IS  to  be 
virtue  and  de- 
^-paths  which 

shortness  of 
The  days  of 
ongest  life  is 
en  compared 
md  years,  in 
truth,  are  but 
and  gone,  Ps. 
ly  experience 
here  to-day, 
no  sooner  out 
Ind?    For  as 

vc,    tiiUJSC    liiUi. 

)  more  of  us: 
the  prophet  Jfve 


OF   THE   WORLD. 


29 

Iwhich  flour  Shi  t -Sr  "-^  ■'"'•^''''' 

-»  life  compareVt  J.' JZ ''"'/ '^ 
v.  to  a  vapour  or  a  >h^.        ,    '  ""^"P- 

Mispersed%3.ri    r;S"fS 
im  no  more  *5^^Pn?    rr       -         ^iim, 

Wared  ^Y  sZln^^-^l' JV' 

:)  to  a  shadow,  or  to  tho  fl°^'    ''^P' 

"d  upon  the  wiZ  t  *      ^'^^^  "^  « 

,™m  the  bow,  whfc'h    eak'"""^  '^"^ 

)me  of  afl  ;/   '■'^^^'  ^''^'  i«  now  be- 
"iifaniy  monarchs,  eallant  tr^nr. 

Ue  an'Sutd? %rS" r  1 
i^'y  are  all  Innr.    •  "^  ^^-     ^^as 

-  -'s=ea:  just  so  it  will  be  wii^u' 
years  hence.    ^Ih »  wn^Mi" 
"  for  one  «t^oThieX' 


•smrT" 


30 


ON   THE  VANITY,   ETC. 


I 


are  gone  before  you;  and  who,  from 
their  silent  monunnenls,.  where  the  re- 
mainder of  their  dust  lies  mingled  with 
the  common  earth,  call  upon  you  in  the 
words  of  the  wise  man :  Memento  judicii 
mei;  sic  enim  erit  et  tuum:  mihi  heri, 
tibi  hodie,  Eccl.  xxxviii.  "Remember 
what  we  are  come  to;  it  will  soon  be 
the  same  with  you:  it  was  our  turn 
yesterday,  it  will  be  yours  to-day.  We 
once  had  our  parts  to  act  upon  the  stage 
of  the  w#ld;  we  once  were  young, 
strong,  and  healthy,  as  you  now  are,| 
and  thought  as  little  as  you  of  what  we( 
are  now  come  to:  like  you,  we  set  our| 
hearts  upon  trifles  and  toys,  which  wej 
could  but  enjoy  for  a  moment;  and  for! 
these  we  neglected  eternity.  Senselessj 
wretches  as  we  were,  we  chose  to  b6| 
slaves  to  a  cheating  world,  to  incon-1 
stant  perishable  creatures,  which  aban 
doned  us  so  soon,  rather  than  serve  tha 
•Lord  and  Master  to  whom  nothing  dies| 
and  who  neither  in  life  nor  death  eves 

•ft^vcolr^ci    fVii^csQ    xtrlirk    ^reolro    nnf     n inn  IB 

O  Christian!  let  us  take  this  warning 
let  the  miscarriages  of  so  many  othel 


t 
I 
li 


m 
U 
m 

}US1 


>   ETC. 

md  who,  from 

where  the  re- 
s  mingled  with 
pon  you  in  the 
VLemento  judicii 
um:  mihi  heri, 
i.  "  Remember 
it  will  soon  be 

was  our  turn 
rs  to-day.     We 

upon  the  stage 
5  were  young, 

you  now  are,?; 
fo\x  of  what  we 
''ou,  we  set  our 
toys,  which  we 
omcnt;  and  for 
lity.     Senseless 
ve  chose  to  be 
or  Id,  to  incon 
es,  which  aban 
than  serve  tha 
m  nothing  dies| 
nor  death  eve 


-JtllS.'»wf  i2-«' 


e  this  warning 
so  many  otheJ 


W   THE  HAPPINESS,  ETC.  Sj 

t  teach  us   wisdom  •  let  ,.„       . 
i  hearts  on    this  misp!,n    "°'  ^^'  O" 
I  look  upon  any  thin^n    .  '^  ^°'^^'   "or 
^hat  i^  eternal.     ^  ^  ""'^  S^eat,  but 

SIXTH  DAY. 

ON  T:ie  HAPPIWF.SO   „„ 

'■WNESS   OP  SERVING  GOD 

Consider,  firof   tu 
."•ophet  Isa  ah   l^f  T'^'  °f  the 
i'  i^  well,  Isai   ii^^^    "a  ^^  >*^  «««, 

hri  well  comprisff  2i^"'''  *'"«•  short 
W,  both  for  ^mc  !'n?'',^"'"''^«  t°  'he 
»"•.  riches,  and  Sea  "    ^'"""J^"    H°n- 

;"  -hich  theXi7s74'iT  '''^  "'-g^ 

't'"«=  but  they  are  no^  '''^greatest 

'^^l^  the  world  seeks  th.  ^  ^°""'' 
,'  the  service  of  S  p""^'  •>"«  on'y 
["r  upon  earth  h^  „  '       **"  ^"^  hon- 

Wp  se^t^e  ;St:  «r ''^' 

^n  of  the  great  idZ  \fl    '  ^^  ^^opted 
''^eeternalFath^a^^J-aeild 


> 


?■ 


32 


ON  THE   HAPPINESS 


eternal  Son,  a  temple  of  the  eternal 
Spirit;  heiress  of  the  kingdom  of  heav- 
en, and  sister  and  companion  to  the 
angels.  O  my  soul!  let  such  honours 
as  these  be  the  only  object  of  thy  am- 
bition. 

Consider,  secondly^  that  the  truest 
riches  are  to  be  found  in  the  service  of 
God;  not  indeed  always  those  worldly 
possessions,  which  are  attended  with  so 
many  cares  and  fears,  and  daily  ex- 
posed to  so  many  accidents,  and  which 
are  not  capable  of  satisfying  the  heart; 
but  the  inestimable  treasure  of  the  grace 
of  God,  which  is  the  seed  of  everlasting 
glory;  tbe  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  the 
love  of  God;  in  a  word,  God  himself, 
whom  the  world  cannot  take  from  the 
soul,  unless  she  be  so  miserably  blind 
as  to  force  him  away  by  mortal  sin. 
Add  to  this,  the  fatherly  providence  of 
God,  whose  eyes  are  continually  fixed 
upon  the  just,  to  watch  over  their  wel- 
fare: that  his  angels  always  encamp  | 
about   them,  to  guard  them 


-i-i 


oy   liigi 
xxxiii.  8.    That  as 
he  formerly  said  to  Abraham,  Gen.  xv. 


and  by  day,  Ps. 


ss 

> 

the  eternal 
lorn  of  heav- 
inion  to  the 
uch  honours 
t  of  thy  am- 

t  the  truest 
le  service  of 
hose  worldly 
nded  with  so 
[id  daily  ex- 
;s,  and  which 
ig  the  heart  J 
3  of  the  grace 
)f  everlasting 
y  Ghost;  the 
God  himself, 
ake  from  the 
serably  blind 
r  mortal  sin. 
)rovidence  of 
tinually  fixed 
er  their  wel- 
vays  encamp 
em  by  night 
8.  That  as 
am,  Gen.  xv.' 


4 

■i 


OF   SERVING   GOD.  33 

He  himself  is  their  protector,  and  that 
reward  exceeding  great,     lie   is   the  r 
fnend    the   best  of  fdends;  the  l^^ 
herd  of  their  souls,  who  leads  them  o^ 
0  his  admirable  pastures,  to  the  foun- 
tain of  living  witers.     His  tenderne^ 
towards  then,  is  beyond  that  of  a  lathe- 
nay,  beyond  that  of  the  tenderest  motK 
?r,/*a    xlu.  15,16.    In  a  wordrOod 
IS  all  things  to  those  that  fear  him      0» 
ray  soul,  seek  no  other  treasure' than 
him     Fear  nothing  but  the  losing  him. 
If  thou  hast  Inm,  nothing  can  make  thee 

rkTtSir'^^'^^'--^'''^''^-" 

Consider,  thirdly,  the  pleasure  that  « 
attends  a  virtuous  life;  the  satisfaction 

E'  hv  ,h'°^  •"'^  "  S-^  conscience 
Which  by  the  wise  man  is  compared  to 

of  the  Hot  ri!"''"''!  "'^  conLlatio^s 
nLfM-  ^.^'""u""''  ">^  comfortable  ex- 
pectation of  a  happy  eternity  after  our 
exit  out  of  this  vale  of  tears;  a  holy 
confidence  in  the  protection  and  provi^ 
dence  of  God,  and  a  perfect  conformilv 
i"  an  liungs  to  his  blessed  will.  From 
these  fountains  flow  such  delights,  w 


34 


ON  THE  HAPPINESS,  ETC. 


cannot  be  conceived  by  worldlings  who 
have  no  experience  of  them:  pleasures 
,pure  and  spiritual,  which  sweeten  all 
the  crosses  of  life,  are  an  unspeakable 
comfort  in  death,  and  carry  with  them 
a  certain  Ibretaste  of  the  immortal  joys 
of  heaven.  Whereas  all  worldly  plea- 
sures, like  the  world  itself,  are  false 
and  delusive,  always  besprinkled  with 
bitterness,  attended  by  uneasiness,  fol- 
lowed with  remorse,  and  at  last  ter 
minate  in  eternal  sorrow. 

Consider,  fourtlily^  the  saying  of  ou  r 
Saviour,  one  thing  is  necessary^  Luke  x. 
42.  And  what  is  that  one  thing,  O  my 
soul!  which  alone  can  make  thee  hap- 
py, both  here  and  hereafter?  It  is  to 
serve  thy  God,  and  to  provide  in  earn- 
est for  sr.3rnity.  As  time,  compared  to 
eternuy  i  3ss  than  nothing;  so  are  all 
temporal,  ancerns,  if  compared  with  the 
concerns  ot'  eternity/  This  in  reality 
:is  thy  oAj  jusiness:  if  thou  art  careful 
^of  this,  all  IS  well;  but  if  thou  neglect 
it,  all  is  lost,  and  lost  for  ever.  As  for 
all  other  things  of  which  thou  mayest 
>8tand  in  need  in  this  life,  give  ear 


ON  DEATH. 


35 


isiness,  fol- 


again  to  the  same  Saviour,  Matt.  vi.  33. 
Seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his 
justice,  and  all  these  things  shall  be 
given  you  over  and  above.     Conclude      * 
then,  my  soul!  since  both  thy  temporal^Hi 
and  eternal  welfare  depend  on  serving^^ 
God,' to  make  this  for  the  future  thy 
only  care.     Thus  only  shalt  thou  meet 
true  comfort  here;  thus  only  shalt  thou 
come  to  never-ending  happiness. 


SEVENTH  DAY. 

ON   DEATH. 

Consider,  first,  that  there  is  nothing 
more  certain  than  death.  It  is  appointed 
for  all  men  once  to  die;  and,  after  that 
judgment.  This  sentence  is  general; 
^1a^  P^o^ounced  on  all  the  children  of 
Adam :  neither  wealth,  nor  strength,  nor 
wisdom,  nor  all  the  power  of  this  world, 
can  exempt  any  one  from  this  common 
doom.  From  the  first  moment  of  our 
uirin,  we  hasten  to  death:  every  mo- 
ment brings  it  nigher  to  us.  The  day 
will  come,  it  will  certainly  come,  and 


86 


ON  DEATH. 


God  only  knows  how  soon,  when  we 
shall  never  see  the  night;  or  the  night 
will  come,  when  we  shall  never  see  the 
nsuing  morning.  The  day  will  most 
lirtainly  come,  when  thou,  my  soul! 
must  hid  a  long  farewell  to  this  cheating 
world,  and  all  thou  hast  admired  4here- 
in;  and  even  to  thy  own  body,  the  in- 
dividual companion  of  thy  life;  and  take 
thy  flight  to  another  country,  where  all 
that  thou  settest  a  value  upon  here  will 
vanish  like  smoke:  learn  then  to  despise 
this  miserable  world,  with  all  its  enjoy- 
ments with  which  thou  must  part  so 
soon,  whether  thou  wilt  or  not. 

Consider,  secondly,  that  as  nothing  is 
more  certain  and  inevitable  than  death, 
so  nothing  is  more  uncertain  than  the 
time — the  place — the  manner,  and  all 
other  circumstances  of  our  death.  "  O 
my  soul!"  says  St.  Francis  of  Sales, 
"  thou  must  one  day  part  with  this  body: 
but  when  shall  that  day  be?  Shall  it 
be  in  winter,  or  in  summer?  in  the  city, 
or  in  the  country?  by  day,  or  by  nicht? 
Shall  it  be  suddenly,  or  on  notice  gfven 
theo?    Shalt  thou  have  leisure  to  make 


s^hen  we 
he  night 
r  see  the 
all  most 
[ly  soul! 
cheating 
3d  <here- 
',  the  in- 
and  take 
^here  all 
lere  will 
3  despise 
ts  enjoy- 
part  so 

)thing  is 
n  death, 
han  the 
and  all 
th.  "  0 
f  Sales, 
is  body: 
Shall  it 
the  city, 
i  night? 
:e  given 
to  make 


ON  DEATH. 


37      ^ 


»  thy  confession?  Shalt  thou  have  the 
assistance  ofthy  ghostly  father?"  Alas! 
of  all  this  thou  knowest  nothing  at  all* 
only  that  it  is  certain  thou  must  ML 
j^  and  th*t,  as  it  ahnost  always  happens, 
thou  must  die  much  sooner  than  thou 
dost  imagine. 

Consider,  thirdli/,  that  death  being  so 
certam,  and  the  time  and  manner  of  it 
so  uncertain,  it  would  be  no  small  com- 
fort if  a  man  could  die  more  than  once, 
that  so,  if  he  had  the  misfortune  once  to 
die.ill,  he  might  repair  the  fault  by  be- 
ing more  careful  a  second  time.     But, 
alas  I'  we  can  die   but  once:   for  when 
once  we  have  set  our  foot  within  the 
gates  of  eternity,  there  is  no  returning 
back.     If  we  die  once  well,  it  will  be  al- 
ways well;  but  if  once  ill,  it  will  be  ill 
with  us  for  all  eternity.     O!  dreadful 
moment,  on  which  depends  an  endless 
eternity!     O  blessed  Lord!  prepare  us 
for  that  fatal  hour. 

Consider,  fourthly,  the  folly  and  stu- 
pidity of  the  greatest  part  of  mankind, 
who,  though  they  daily  see  some  or 
II      other  of  their  friends,  acquaintance,  or 


38 


ON   DEATH. 


neighbours  carried  off  by  death,  and 
that  very  often  suddenly  in  the  vigour 
of  youth,  yet  always  imagine  death  to 
be  at  a  distance  from  them;  as  if  those 
arrows  of  death,  which  are  falling  on 
all  sides  of  them,  would  not  reach  them 
too  in  their  turn;  or  as  if  they  had  a 
greater  security  than  so  many  others 
who  are  daily  swept  away.     Senseless 
worldlings!  why  will  you  not  open  your 
eyes?  why   will   you   fondly   imagine 
yourselves  secure  from  the  stroke  of 
death,  when  you  cannot  so  much  as 
promise  yourselves  one  single  day 'of 
life?    How  many  will  die  before  the 
end  of  this  month,  that  are  as  young, 
as  vigorous,  and  as  fiealthy  as  you  are? 
and  who  knows  but  you  may  be  of  that 
number?     Ah!  Christians,    take    care 
lest  you  be  surprised;  set  your  house 
in  order,  and  for  the  future  avoid  sin, 
the  only  evil  which  makes  death  ter- 
rible.    Live  always  in   those  disposi- 
tions in  which   you  would  gladly  be 


the  hour  of  death.     To  act 


otherwise,  is  to  renounce  both  religion 
and  reason. 


f 


*^ 


ith,  and 
)  vigour 
leath  to 
if  those 
ling  on 
:h  them 
y  had  a 
others 
enseless 
en  your 
imagine 
:'oke  of 
luch  as 
day'of 
3re  the 
young, 
ou  are? 
of  that 
e   care 
•  house 
Did  sin, 
th  ter- 
disposi- 
dly  be 
To  act 
eligion 


ON  DEATH. 


39 


i 


Comimn,  ffthly,  the  state  and  condi- 
tion of  this  corruptible  body  of  ours,  as 
soon  as  we  are  dead:  alas!  it  immediate- 
ly becomes  pale,  stiff,  loathsome,  and  hid- 
eous,- insomuch,  that  our  dearest  friends 
can  scarce  endure  to  watch  one  night  in 
the  same  room  with  it,  much  less  bear 
to  he  with  it  in  the  same  bed :  for  so 
fast  does  it  tend  to  stench  and  corrup- 
tion, that  its  nearest  relations  are  the 
first  to  wish  it  out  of  the  house,  and  to 
lay  It  deep  under  ground,  that  it  may  not 
mfect  the  air.     But  what  companions, 
what  attendants  must  it  there  meet  with? 
Worms    and   maggots.     For   these,  O 
man!  thou  art  pampering   thy  body: 
these  are  to  be  thy  inheritance,  O  man! 
or  rather,  they  are   to  inherit   thee: 
whatever  thou  art  to-day,  to-morrow 
thou  will  be  the  food  of  worms.    Ah! 
worldlings,  that  are  enaimoured  with 
your  own,  or  the  beauty  of  others,  and 
thereby  too  often  drawn  from  your  al- 
legiance to  God,  vouchsafe  for  once  to 
reflect  upon  the  condition  to  which  both 
you  and  they  must  soon  be  reduced, 
and  you  will  see  what  little  reason  you 


40       ON  THE  SENTIMENTS  WE  SHALL 

have  to  fix  your  affections  upon  such 
painted  dunghills,  which  quickly  betray 
what  they  are,  and  end  in  noisome- 
ness  and  corruption.     We  read  that  St. 
trancis  Borgia  was  so  affected  with  the 
bare  sight  of  the  ghastly  countenance  of 
the  Empress  Isabella  after  her  deatli, 
whom  he  had  seen  a  little  before  in  all 
her  majesty  and  charms,  as  to  conceive 
an  eternal  disgust  of  this  world,  and  a 
happy  resolution  of  consecrating  him- 
self wholly  to  the  service  of  that  Kina 
who  never  dies.    Let  the  like  conside- 
ration move  us  to  the  like  resolution. 


EIGHTH  DAY. 

ON  THE  SENTIMENTS  WE  SHALL  HAVE 
AT  THE  HOUR  OF  DEATH. 

Consider,  first,  Christian  soul !  what 
thy  sentiments  will  be  at  tho  hour  of 
death  with  regard  to  this  world,  and  all 
Its  perishable  goods,  vain  hononvo  r=io.. 
riches,  and  cheating  pleasures!  aImI 
the  world  must  then  end  in  thy  regard: 
«  will  turn  upside  down  before   thy 


I 


LL 

n  such 
betray 
)isome- 
hat  St. 
ith  the 
mce  of 
death, 
!  in  all 
nceive 
and  a 
;  him- 
;  King 
•nside- 
Lon. 


[AVE 

what 
ir  of 
id  all 

Alas! 

jard; 

thy 


i 
1^ 


DAVE  AT  THE  HOUR  OF  DEATH.       41 

eyes;  and  thou  will  begin  to  see  dearly 
the  .nothingness  of  all  those  things  on 
which  thou  hast   here  set   thy   heart. 
How  wilt  thou  then  despise  all  worldly 
honours  and   preferments,  when  thou 
seest  thyself  at  the  brink  of  the  grave, 
vyhere  the  worms  will  make  no  distinc- 
tion between  the  king  and  the  beggar? 
How  httle  account  wilt  thou  then  make 
ot  the  esteem  of  men,  who  then  will 
think  no  more  of  thee?    How  will  thou 
undervalue  thy  riches,  which  must  now 
be  left  behind-  thee,  when  six  foot  of 
land,  a  coffin,  and  a  shroud,  will  be  all 
thy  possessions?    How  despicable  will 
all  worldly  pleasures  then  seem  to  thee, 
which  at  the  best  could  never  give  thee 
any  true  satisfaction,  and  which  thou, 
now  beholdest  to  fly  from  thee,  and  dis- 
solve into  smoke?    Ah!  my  poor  soul, 
enter  now   into  the  same  sentiments 
which  thou  Shalt  certainly  have  at  the 
hour  of  thy  death:  as  thus,  and  thus 

fifllV.      Ciifjlf      4-1-.^..       !-___.■/», 


only, 


snait  thou  be  out  of  danger  of 


being  deceived  by  this  deceitful  world. 

Consider,  secondlt,,  what  will  then  bo 

thy  thoughts  with  regard  to  thy  sins; 


II 


42       ON  THE  SENTIMENTS  WE  SHALL 

when  the  curtain,  with  which  thy  busy- 
self-love  has  industriously  hidden  or  dis- 
guised the  deformity  and  malice  of  thy 
crimes,  shall  be  withdrawn,  and  all  thy 
sins  shall  be  set  before  thy  eyes  in  their 
true  light:  when  so  many  things,  which 
thou  wast  willing  to  persuade  thyself 
were  but  small  faults,  or  none  at  all, 
will  present  themselves  before  thee  in 
othar  colours,  as    great  and    hideous 
olfences:   when   that  false  conscience, 
which  thou  hast  framed  to  thyself,  and 
under  the  cover  of  which   thou   hast 
passed  over  many  things  in  thy  con- 
fussioDs,  as  slight  and  inconsiderable, 
which  thou  wast  ashamed  to  declare,  or 
unwilling  to  forsake,  shall  no  longer  be 
able  to  maintain  itself  at  the  approach 
of  death.     Ah !  what  anguish,  what  con- 
fusion, what  dreadful   temptations  of 
despair  must  such  a  sight  as  this  give 
to  the  dying  sinner !    Learn  then,  my 
soul!  to  take  better  measures  now  in 
time,  and  thus  to  prevent  so  great  a 
misery. 

Consider,  thirdly^  and  take  a  nigher 
view  of  the  lamentable  state  of  a  sinner 


i\ 


I 


HAVE  AT  THE  HOUR  OF  DEATH.   43 

at  the  hour  of  his  death:  when  all  things 
seem  to  conspire  against  him,  and  which 
way  soever  he  looks  for  any  ease  or 
comfort,  he  can  find  none.     Before  his 
eyes,  he  sees  a  whole  army  of  sins  mus- 
tered up:  a  viper's  brood  of  his  own  off- 
spring, which  stick  close  to  him,  and, 
assailmg  him  with  their  united  force, 
make   him  already  begin  to  feel  the 
gripes  of  that  never-dying  worm  of  con- 
science,  which  shall  be  the  eternal  tor- 
ment of  the  damned.     O!  how  gladly 
would   he  shake  off  this  troublesome 
company:  but  all  in  vain;  they  are  re- 
solved not  to  leave  him.     If  he    look 
back  into  his  past  life,  to  seek  for  some 
good  works,  to  oppose  this  army  of  sins, 
alas !  he  finds  the  good  that  he  has  done 
has  been  so  inconsiderable,  so  insigni- 
ficant, as  to  give  him  no  hopes  of  its 
weighing   down  the  scales,  when  ba- 
lanced with  his  multiplied  crimes.    His 
very  prayers,  and  the  confessions  and 

his  face,  and  upbraid  him  with  his 
wretched  negligence,  and  sacrilegious 
abuse  of  these  great  means  of  salvation. 


44      ON  THE  SENTIMENTS  WE  SHALL 

The  sight  of  all  things  about  him,  his 
wife,  his  children,  his  friends,  bis  world- 
ly goods,  which  he  has  loved  more  than 
God,  serve  for  nothing  now  but  to  in- 
crease his  anguish.     And  what  is  his 
greatest  misery  is,  that  the  agonies  of 
his  sickness  give  him  little  or  no  leisure 
or  ability  to  apply  himself  seriously  to 
the  greatest  and  most  difficult  of  all  con- 
cerns, which  is,  a  perfect  conversion  to 
God  after  a  long  habit  of  sin.'   O!  bow 
truly  may  the  sinner  now  repeat  those 
words  of  the  Psalmist:  The  sorrows  of 
death  have  encompassed  me,  and  the  per- 
ils of  hell  have  found  me,  Ps.  cxiv.     O! 
what  unspeakable  anguish  must  it  be, 
to  see  himself  just  embarking  upon  eter- 
nity, an  infinite  and  endless  duration, 
an  immense  ocean,  to  whose  further 
shore  the  poor  sailor  can  never  reach: 
and  to  have  so  much  reason  to  fear,  it 
will  be  to  him  an  eternity  of  wo. 
CoNsiDEn,fourthIy,  my  soul !  what  thy 

^^»x^-lXil^^li^O     Will       UC      UL      IJIU      JIOUT      OI      tflV 

death,  with  relation  to  the  service  of 
God,  and  to  virtue  and  devotion:  how 
lovely  will  the  way  of  virtue  then  ap- 


- 


HAVE  AT  THE  HOUE  OF  DEATH.   45 

pear  to  thee !    How  wilt  thou  then  wish 
to  have  followed  that  charming  path! 
O!  what  a  satisfaction  is  it  to  a  dyinff 
man  to  have  lived  well!    What  a  com- 
fort, to  see  himself  now  at  the  end  of 
al   his  labours  and  dangers;  to  find  him- 
selt  at  the  gates  of  eternal  rest,  of  ever- 
lasting peace,  after  a  long  and  doubtful 
war!  he  may  now  securely  come  down 
from  his  watch-tower,  and  repose  him- 

Father  O!  what  a  pleasure,  what  a 
joy  to  look  forward  into  that  blessed 
eternity!  O!  how  precious  in  the  sigM 
0/  God  IS  the  death  of  his  saints,  Ps. 
CSV.  Ah!  Let  my  soul  die  t7ie  death  of 
the  just  and  let  my  last  end  be  like  to 
theirs  Numb,  xxiii.    Christians!  if  we 

live  the  life  of  the  just!    The  only  se- 
curity for  a  good  death,  is  a  good  life. 

Consider  ffiMy,  or  rather  conclude 
trom  the  foregoing  considerations  on 
death,_to  make  it  the  whole  business  of 
your  life  to  prepare  for  death.  Upon 
dying  well  depends  nothing  less  than  a 
happy  eternity.    If  we  die  ill,  we  are 


46 


ON  THE   PARTICULAR 


lost,  and  lost  for  ever.  As,  then,  we 
came  into  the  world  for  nothing  else, 
but  to  provide  for  eternity,  so  we  may 
truly  say,  we  came  into  the  world  for 
nothing  else,  but  to  learn  to  d'o  well. 
This  the  great  lesson  which  we  must 
all  study.  Alas!  if  wp  miss  it,  when 
we  are  called  to  a  trial,  an  endless 
duration  of  wo  must  be  the  necessary, 
consequence.  Ah!  how  hard  is  it  to 
learn  to  perform  that  well,  which  can 
be  done  but  once. 


NINTH  DAY. 

ON  THE  PARTICULAR  JUDGMENT  AFTER 

DEATH. 

Consider,  firsts  that  the  soul  is  no 
sooner  parted  from  the  body,  but  she  is 
immediately  presented  before  the  judge, 
in  order  to  give  an  account  of  her  whole 
life,  of  all  that  she  has  thought,  said,  or 
done,  during  her  abode  in  the  body,  and 

A-     :--    ^ i j: — u,        "P^- 

lo    recuivu  SuiiLUiiuu   uutjuruiuji^i}'.      xvx 

that  the  eternal  doom  of  every  soul  is 
decided  by  a  particular  judgment  imme- 


.. 


JUDCMENT  AFTER  DEATH.     47 

diately  after  death,  we  learn  from  the 
gospel  ,n  the  example  of  Dives  an^  La! 
zarus:  and  the  sentence  that  is  passed 
here  will  be  ratified  in  the  generaljudo'- 
ment  at  the  last  day.  Ch>ltiarsVhol 
stand  your  accounts  with  God?     What 

If  t  us  mght  you  should  be  cited  to  the 
bar?    It  may  be  perhaps  your  case 
Remember  that  your  Lord  wil[  come 

then  to  be  always  ready. 

Consider  secondly/,  how  exact,  how 
rigorous  this  judgment  will  be,  whel 
even  the  least  idle  word  cannot'eecaje 

Jeasures'T-"'^  '>'  •'"''g^-    O!  wh^at 
treasures  of  iniquity  will  here  come  to 

which  h  des  at  present  the  greatest  oart 
of  our  sins  from  the  eyes  of  the  woriS 
and  even  from  our  own:_wherfi 
whole  history  of  our  lives  shall  at  oS 
be  exposed  to  our  view,  ^ood  G^ 
who  can  be  able  to  be^r  this  dread^.' 
-S"u    iiere  shall  the   poor  souf  te 

thM^K*  'rT''  «^a°t  account  of  aU 
that  she  has  done,  or  left  undone,  dur 


48 


ON  THE  PAtlTICTTLAR 


4 


ing  the  whole  time  of  her  pilgrimage 
in  this  mortal  body:  how  she  has  cor- 
responded with  the  divine  inspirations; 
what  use  she  has  made  of  God's  graces;, 
what  profit  she  has   reaped  from  the 
sacraments  she  has  received,  from  the 
word  of  God  which  she  has  heard  or 
read;  what  advantage  she  has  made  of 
those  favourable  circumstances  in  which 
God  Almighty  has  placed  her;  how  she 
has  employed  the  talents  with  which 
he  has  entrusted  her:  even  her  best 
works  shall  be  nicely  sifted :  her  pray- 
ers, her  fasts,  her  alms-deeds:  the  in- 
tention with  which  she  has  undertaken 
them;  the  manner  in  which  she  has 
performed  them:  not  in  the  deceitful 
balance  of  the  judgment  of  men,  but  in 
the  scales  of  the  sanctuary.    Ah  I  how 
many  of  our  actions  will  then  be  found 
to  want  weight,  according  to  that  of 
"Dan.  v.  Thou  hast  been  weighed  in  ike 
balance,  and  art  found  of  too   little 
weight.     Enter  not  into  judgment  with 
thy  servant,  O  Lord!  for  no  man  living 
shall  be  justified  in  thy  sight.  Psalm 
cxlii. 


-*-• 


I 


JUDGMENT  AFTER  DEATH.     49 

,  Consider,  thirdly,  the  qualities  of  the 
judge  before  whom  we   must  appear. 
He  IS  mfinitely  wise,  and  therefore  can- 
not be  deceived;  he  is  in^nitely jjozoer- 
ful,  and  therefore  cannot  be  resisted: 
he  is  mfinitely  just,  and  therefore  will 
render  to  every  one  according  to  his 
r«orks     No  favour  is  to  be  expected  at 
this  day:  the  time  of  merit  and  of  ao 
oeptable  repentance  is  now  at  an  end. 
Ah .  Christians,  think  well  onH  now  whilst 
It  IS  your  day:  you  may  now  wash  away 
your  sins  by  penitential  tears,  and  thus 
hide  them  from  the  eyes  of  your  future 
judge:  you  may  at  present  tie  up  his 
hands  by  humble  prayer;  you  may  ap- 
peal from  his  justice  to  the  court  of  his 
mercy,  and  cause  him  to  cancel  the 
sentence  that  stands  against  you:  but  at 
that  day  you  will  find  him  inexorable- 
y°"[^P''=*yers  and  tears  will  then  come 

Consider,  fourthly,  the  inestimable 
comfort  that  the  souls  of  th^  ;„=.  „i,~ii 
receive  at  this  day  from  the  company 
of  their  good  works,  which  like  an  in- 
vincible rampart  shall  surround  them 


it 


50 


ON  THE   PARTICULAR 


on  all  sides,  and  keep  their  hellish  foes 
at  a  distance.  O  my  soul  I  let  us  take 
care  to  provide  ourselves  with  such 
attendants  as  these,  against  that  hour 
which  is  to  decide  our  eternal  doom. 
These  are  friends  indeed,  who  will  not 
forsake  us  even  in  deatlj,  but  effectually 
plead  our  cause  at  that  bar  where  no 
other  eloquence  will  be  regarded. 

Consider,  ffthly,  in  what  a  wretched 
plight  the  sinner,  who  has  taken  no  care 
to  lay  up  any  such  provision  of  good 
works,  shall  now  stand  before  his  judge. 
01  how  all  things  now  speak  to  him 
the  melancholy  sentence,  that  is  just 
now  going  to  fall  upon  his  guilty  head. 
Whatever  way  he  looks,  he  sees  no- 
thing that  can  give  him  any  comfort; 
but  on  the  contrary,  all  things  that  con- 
tribute to  his  greater  ar-^uish  and  ter- 
ror. Beneath  his  feet  he  sees  hell  open 
ready  to  swallow  him  up:  above  his 
head  an  angry  judge  prepared  to  thun- 
der out  against  him  the  irrevocable  sen- 


__    _/• 


ic  rirrVit 


hand,  he  sees  his  guardian  angel  now 
abandoning  him:' on  his  left  the  devils, 


JUDGMENT  AFTER   DEATH. 


51 


his  merciless  enemies,  just  ready  to  seize 
upon  him,  and  only  waiting  for  the  beck 
of  the  judge:  if  he  look    behind,  he  dis- 
covers  a  cheating  world,  which  now 
retires  from  him;  if  he  look    before,  he 
meets  with  nothing  but  a  dismal  eter- 
nity.    Within  he  feels  the  intolerable 
stings  of  a  guilty  conscience;  and  on  all 
sides  he  perceives  an  army  of  those  hid- 
eous monsters,  his  own  sins,  more  terri- 
ble to  him  now  than  the  furies  of  helL 
Good  God!  deliver  me  from  ever  hav- 
mg  any  share  in  such  a  scene  of  misery. 
Consider,  sixtlily,  that  in  order  to 
prevent  the  judgment  of  Gou  irom  fall- 
ing heavy  upon  us  after  death,  we  must 
take  care   to  judge  and  chastise  our- 
selves, by  doing  serious  penance  in  this 
lite;  for  thus,  and  thus  only,  shall  we 
disarm  the  justice  of  God,  enkindled  by 
our  sins.     Let  us  follow  the  advice  of 
him  who  is  to  be  our  judge,  who  calls 
upon  us  to  watch  and  pray  nt  all  times, 
so  that  we  may  be  found 
escape  these  dreadful  "d 
with  confidence  before 
Luke 


worthy  to 


dangers,  and  stand 

.  e  the  Son  of  Man. 

XXI.  36.    Ah!  let  this  judgment 


'E:v^S^««€^ 


"'/r — 


52 


ON  THE  GREAT 


be  always  before  our  eyes:  let  us  medi- 
tate on  this  account  that  we  are  one  day 
to  give. .  Let  us  never  forget  that  there 
is  an  eye  above  that  sees  all  things;  that 
there  is  an  ear  that  hears  all  things; 
that  thePB  is  a  hand  that  writeth  down 
all  our  thoughts,  words,  and  deeds,  in 
the  great  accounting-book;  and  that  all 
our  actions  pass  from  our  hands  to  the 
hands  of  God;  that  what  is  done  in  time, 
passeth  not  away  with  time,  but  shall 
subsist  after  all  time  is  past.  01  that 
men  would  be  wise,  and  would  under' 
stand  these  truths,  and  provide  in  earn- 
est jTor  their  last  end!  Deuter.  xxxii. 


TENTH  DAY. 

ON   THE  GREAT  ACCOUNTING   DAS'. 

Consider,  first,  that  nothing  can  be 
conceived  more  terrible  than  the  pros- 
pect which  scripture  gives  us  of  the 
last  accounting  day,  with  all  the  pro- 
digies that  shall  go  before  it.  The  sun 
darkened, — the  moon  red  as  blood, — 
the  stars  without  light,  and  seeming  to 


,j 


1 


ACCOUNTING  DAT. 


53 


fall    from   the   firmament!-— the  earth 
shaken  with  violent  earthquakes,—the 
sea  swelhng  and  roaring  with  unusual 
tempests,— the  elements  all   in  confu- 
sion, and   whole    nature   in    disorder. 
I  he  day  of  the  Lord,  says  the  prophet 
Joel,  chap.  li.  is  a  dap  of  darkness  and 
obscurity,  a  day  of  clouds  and  whirl- 
winds.    Before  its  face  devouring  fire, 
and  behind  it  burning  flames.    The  earth 
shall  tremble  at  the  appearance  of  it, 
and  the  heavens  be  moved  at  its  sight, 
Ihe  sun  and  moon  are  darkened,  and 
ihe  stars  have  ivithdrawn  all  their  light. 
And   the   prophet  Sophonias,  chap.  i. 
cries  out,  That  day,  a  day  of  wrath,  a 
day  of  tribulation  and  anguish,  a  day 
of  calamity  and  misery,  a  day  of  dark- 
nass  and  obscurity,  a  day  of  mists  and 
whirlwinds.    Can  any  thing  be  more 
trightful  than  these  descriptions?    Ah' 
what  will  then  be  the  thoughts  of  sinful 
man,  who  sees  himself  threatened  by 
ail  inese  signs.    Alas!  he  shall  perfect- 
ly wither  away  with  fear,  in  expecta- 
tion of  that  tragedy  which  must  follow 
these  dreadful  preludes. 


^  I 


h 


■I 


64 


ON  THE   GREAT 


Consider,  secondly,  that  the  last  day 
being  come,  a  fire  raging  like  an  impet- 
uous torrent,  shall,  by  the  command  of 
God,  consume  the  whole  surface  of  the 
earth,  and  all  that  is  thereon; — nothing 
shall  escape  it.  Where,  O  worldlings, 
will  then  be  all  your  stately  palaces, 
pleasant  seats,  gardens,  fountains,  and 
grottoes; — where  your  gold,  silver,  and 
precious  stones,  &c.  Alas!  all  that  you 
set  your  hearts  on  in  this  world  shall, 
in  a  moment,  be  reduced  to  ashes;  to 
shew  you  the  vanity  of  the  things  you 
loved,  and  your  own  folly  in  placing 
your  affections  upon  such  glittering 
shadows,  upon  such  painted  bubbles. 
Learn  then,  my  soul,  to  despise  this 
world,  with  all  its  goods,  since  all  must 
end  in  smoke  and  ashes,  and  lay  up  to 
thyself  treasures  in  heaven,  which  alone 
will  be  out  of  the  reach  of  this  last  fire. 

Consider,  thirdly,  that  the  final  end 
of  this  world  being  now  come,  the  arch- 
angel shall  sound  the  last  trumpet,  and 
raise  his  voice  with  a  Surgite  mortuiy 
4^.  Arise  ye  dead  and  come  to  judg' 
ment:  a  voice  that  shall  at  once  be  heard 


1 


m 


ACCOUNTING  DAY. 


55 


f 


over  the  whole  universe,  that  shall 
pierce  the  highest  heavens,  and  pene- 
trate down  to  the  lowest  abyss  of  hell: 
at  this  voice,  in  an  instant,  by  the  al- 
mighty power  of  God,  all  the  children 
of  Adam,  from  the  first  to  the  last,  shall 
arise  from  the  dust,  and  each  soul  shall 
«be  united  again  to  its  respective  body, 
never  more  to  be  separated  for  eternity. 
01  my  soul,  let  ihh  i-ist  trumpet  always 
echo  in  thy  ears  O!  take  care  to  pre- 
vent the  terrors  of  this  summons,  by 
hearkening  now  to  another  summons 
of  the  great  trumpet  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
who  calls  upon  thee  by  the  mouth  of 
the  apostle.  Arise  thou  that  sleepeth,  and 
rise  from  the  dead,  that  is,  from  the 
death  of  sin,  and  Christ  shall  enlighten 
thee,  Eph.  v.  It  is  by  thus  having  part 
in  the  first  resurrection,  thou  shalt  pro- 
vide in  time  against  that  dreadful  hour, 
when  time  shall  he  no  more,  Apoc.  x.  It 
is  thus  thou  shalt  escape  the  second  death. 
CoissiijEn,  fourthljf,  the  wonderful  dif- 
ference there  will  be  at  the  time  of  this 
general  resurrection  between  the  bodies 
of  the  just  and  the  wicked.    The  just 


I 


■  I 


it 


H 


•I 


56 


ON  THE   GREAT 


shall  arise  in  immortal  and  impassible 
bodies,  more  pure  and  beautiful  than 
the  stars,  and  more  resplendent   than 
the  sun :  but  the  wicked  shall  arise  in 
bodies  suitable   to  their  deserts,  foul, 
black,  hideous,  and  in  every  other  re- 
spect loathsome  and  insupportable,-  im- 
mortal, it  is  true,  but  to  no  other  pur^ 
pose,  than  to  endure  immortal  torments. 
O  what  an  inexpressible  rack  will  it  be 
to  these  wretched  souls,  to  be  re-united 
to  such  carcasses,  to  be  condemned  to 
eternal  confinement  in  such  horrid  and 
filthy  abodes!     Ah!  my  soul,  take  thou 
care  to  keep  thy  body  now  pure  from  ^ 
^  the  corruption  of  carnal  sins,  lest  other- 
wise it  become  hereafter  an  aggravation 
of  thy  eternal  misery. 

Consider,  Jifthlj/,  with  how  much  joy 
•and  satisfaction  the  souls  of  the  just 
shall  be  again  united  to  their  bodies,  an 
union  which  they  have  so  long  desired; 
with  what  affection  will  they  embrace 
those  fellow-partners  in  all  their  la- 
'bours,  sufferings,  and  mortifications; 
and  now  designed  io  give  an  addition 
io  their  eternal  happiness,  by  sharing 


;ll 


ACCOUNTING  DAY. 


67 


issible 

than 

than 
ise  in 

foul, 
sr  re- 
;  im- 

pur# 
lents. 

it  be 
nited 
3d  to 
i  and 
thou 
from  ^ 
ther- 
atioQ 

just 
s,  an 
ired; 
race 
•  !a- 
ons; 
ition 
ring 


in  the  glory  of  the  heavenly  Sion. 
But,  O!  what  dreadful  curses  shall  pass 
at  the  melancholy  meeting  of  the  souls 
and  bodies  of  the  reprobate?  Accursed 
carcass!  will  the  soul  say,  was  it  to 
please  and  indulge  thy  brutish  inclina- 
tion's, that  I  have  forfeited  the  immortal 
joys  of  heaven?  Ah!  v/retch,  to  in- 
dulge thee  in  a  filthy  pleasure  for  a 
moment,  I  have  damned  both  myself 
and  thee  to  all  eternity.  O  thrice  ac- 
cursed carrion!  it  is  just,  it  is  just,  that 
thou,  who  hast  been  the  cause  of  my 
damnation,  shouldst  be  my  partner  ia 
eternal  wo.  But  oughtest  thou  not 
rather,  unhappy  soul,  to  be  a  thousand 
times  more  accursed  by  the  body,  since 
it  was  thy  business,  and  in  thy  power, 
to  have  subjected  its  passions  and  lusts 
to  the  rule  of  leason  and  religion;  but 
thou  didst  rather  choose,  for  the  sake 
of  a  momentary  satisfaction,  to  enslave 
thyself  to  its  sensual  inclinations,  and 

is\j  i.\j  punjiiacsc  iic;ii    injiti  ikjl'  il  uiiu  liiV- 

self.  Ah!  Christians,  let  us  learn  to  be 
wise  by  the  consideration  of  the  mis- 
fortunes of  others. 


I 


'' 


;, 


58         ON   THE  GENERAL  JUDGIVIENT. 


ELEVENTH  DAY. 

ON    THE   GENERAL   JUDGMENT. 

Consider,  first,  that  immediately  af- 
ter  the   resurrection   of  the  dead,  all 
mankind   shall    be  assembled  t.>gether 
in  the  place  designed  for  the  last  judg- 
ment, commonly  believed  to  be  the  val- 
ley  of  Josaphal,  near  Jerusalem,  in 
sight  of  mounts  Olivet  and  Calvary, 
where  our   Lord   heretofore  shed   his 
blood  for  our  redemption.     O!  what  a 
sight  will  it  be  ID  behold  all  the  chil- 
dren of  Adam,  that  innumerable  multi- 
tude of  all  nations,  ages,  and  degrees, 
standmg  together,  without  any  distinc- 
tion, as  now,  between  rich  and   poor, 
great  or  little,  master  or  servant,  mon- 
arch or  subject;  excepting  only  the  dis- 
tinction of  good  and  had,  which  shall 
be  wonderful  and  eternal.     Alas!  how 
mean   a  figure  will   an   Alexander,  a 


(jjpsar.  or  nnir  r\. 


heros  of 


antiquity,  whose  very  name  has  made 
whole  nations  tremble,  then  make? 
Those  mighty  monarchs,  who  once  had 


01 


2NT, 


ON   THE   GENERAL  JTTDGMENT. 


59 


lately  af- 
dead,  all 
t.)gether 
ast  judg- 
>  the  val" 
alem,  in 
Calvary, 
shed   his 
!  what  a 
the  chil- 
le  multi- 
degrees, 
'  distinc- 
id   poor, 
nt,  mon- 

the  dis- 
ch  shall 
is !  how 
inder,  a 
leros  of 
IS  made 

make? 
nee  had 


f 


the  world  at  their  beck,  are  now  on  a 
level  with  the  meanest  of  their  slaves, 
and  would  wish  a  thousand  times  never 
to  have  borne  the  sceptre,  nor  worn 
the  diadem. 

Consider,  secondly^  that  the  deed  be- 
ing assembled  together,  the  great  Judge 
shall  descend  from  heaven  with  great 
glory  and  majesty,  environed  by  his 
heavenly  courtiers,  and  whole  legions 
of  angels.  O!  how  different  from  his 
first  coming,  will  this  his  second  ap- 
pearance be^  His  first  coming  was  in 
great  meekness  and  humility;  because 
that  was  our  day,  in  which  he  came  to 
redeem  us  by  his  mercy:  but  at  his  se- 
cond coming  it  will  be  his  day,  when  he 
phaL  arm  himself  with  all  the  terrors 
ot  his  justice,  tc  revenge  upon  sinful 
man  the  cause  of  his  injured  mercy, 
with  a  final  irrevocable  vengeance. — 
Miserablr  sinners,  how  will  you  be  able 
to  stand  b^ore  his  face,  or  endure  his 
wrathful  countenance?  -  Ah!  then  it  is 
you  will  begin  to  cry  out  to  the  moun- 
tains and  rocks  to  fall  upon  you,  and 
hide  you  from  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb, 


i  ' 


li 


I 


i 


1 


60    ON  THE  GENERAL  JUDGMENT. 

from  the  face  of  him  that  sit'eth  on  the 
throne.  Nay,  such  a  dread  and  hor- 
ror  will  the  very  sight  of  the  incensed 
Judge  carry  with  it,  that  you  will  even 
wish  a  thousand  times  to  hide  your 
guilty  heads  in  the  lowest  abyss  of  hell, 
rather  than  endure  this  dreadful  ap- 
pearance:  but  all  in  vain,  you  must 
endure  it. 

Consider,   thirdli/,  that    before   the 
•'"^g®  shall  be  borne  the  royal  stand- 
ard  of  the  cross,  shining  more  bright 
than  the  sun,  to  the  great  comfort  of 
the  good,  and  the  unspeakable  anguish 
and  confusion  of  the  wicked,  for  havinir 
made  so  littje  use  of  the  inestimabll 
benefit  of  their  redemption.     Here  they 
Shall  see  plainly  how  much  their  God 
has  suffered  for  their  salvation;  how 
great  has  been  his  love  for  them;  that 
boundless  and  unparalled  love,  which 
brought  him  down  from  his  throne  of 
glory,  and  nailed  him  to  th#  cross.    O! 

how   will     tlipir    ri^«,    ^ J_  .1      . 

:  "'^^j  "Q"'  Cuudumn  meir  ob- 
stinacy in  sin,  their  blindness  and  in- 
gratitude! O!  how  will  this  glorious 
ensign  justify,  in  the  face  of  the  whole 


lENT. 
r 

eth  on  the 
and  hor- 
e  incensed 
will  even 
Lide  your 
''ss  of  hell, 
^adful  ap- 
you  must 

efore   the 
^al  stand- 
ee bright 
3mfort  of 
e  anguish 
)r  having 
estimable 
lere  they 
heir  God 
on;  how 
em;  that 
1?,  which 
hrone  of 
OSS.    O! 
^heir  ob- 
and  in- 
glorious 
le  whole 


ON  THE  GENERAL  JUDGMENT.   61 

universe,  the  conduct  of  God,  and  the 
eternity  of  hell's  torments:  for  what 
less  than  a  miserable  eternity  can  be  a 
sufficient  punishment  for  so  much  ob- 
stinacy in  evil  after  such  love? 

Consider,  fourthly^  how  at  the  com- 
mand of  the  sovereign  Judge,  which 
shall  be  instantly  obeyed,  the  servants 
of  God  shall  be  selected  from  out  of 
the  midst  of  that  vast  multitude,  and 
placed  with  honour  on  his  right  hand; 
whilst  the  wicked,  with  those  evil  spir- 
its, whose  parts  they  have  taken,  shall 
be  driven  with  ignominy  to  the  left. 
0!  dreadful  and  eternal  separation,  after 
which  these  two  companies  shall  never 
any  more  meet.  And  thou,  my  soul! 
where  dost  thou  expect  to  stand  at  that 
day?  In  which  of  these  two  companies 
shalt  thou  be  ranked?  Thou  hast  it 
now  at  thy  option:  choose  then  now  that 
letter  part,  which  will  never  he  taken 
from  thee.  Fly  now  from  the  midst  of 
Babylon;  renounce  now  the  false  max- 
ims, corrupt  customs,  and  sinful  plea- 
sures of  worldlings;  separate  thyself 
from  the  wicked  in  time,  that   thou 


I>' 


h 


il 


«{f 


62        ON   THE  GENERAL  JUDTxMENT. 


mv 


in 


mayest  not 
(lam  nation. 

Consider,  ffthhj,  what  will  then  be 
the  thoughts  of  the  great  ones  of  this 
world;  what  fury,  envy,  bitter  anguish 
and  confusion  will  then  oppress  their 
souls ;   when   they    shall  see  the  poor 
m  spirit,  the  meek  and  humble,  who 
were   so   contemptible    in    their   eyes 
whilst  they  were  here  in  this  mortal 
life,  now  honoured  and  exalted  in  the 
sight  of  the  universe;  and  themselves 
treated  with  such  confempt.     Hearken 
to  their  complaints,  as  foretold  by  the 
wise  nian,  Wisd.  v.  The^e  are  they  whom 
heretofore  we  laughed  at,  and    whom 
we    made    the    subjects    of  our  scoffs, 
senseless  wretches  as  we  were,  we  es- 
teemed their  life  madness,  and  their  end 
without  honour.     See  how  they  are  now 
reckoned  among  the  children  of  Gob,  and 
with  the  saints  is  their  eternal  lot.     Er- 
go erravimus  a  via  veritatis,  S^c.    Alas! 
after  all,  it  is  ourselves  are  the  persons 
ti^at  have  been  mistaken;  it  is  we  that 
have  unfortunately  run  on  in  the  wrong 
way !  and  they  were  truly  wise  in  mak 


m 


/ 


lENT. 

3ir  eternal 

11  then  be 
les  of  this 
sr  anguish 
ress  their 

the  poor 
able,  who 
leir  eyes 
lis  mortal 
3d  in  the 
lemselves 

Hearken 
id  by  the 
hey  whom 
id  whom 
ir  scoffs, 
e,  we  es- 
their  end 
'  are  now 
Goi),a?id 
Jot.  Er- 
z,    Alas! 

persons 
I  we  that 
le  wrong 

in  mak 


ON  THE  GENERAL  JUDGMENT.    63 

ing  a  better  choice,  which  afforded  them 
comfort  in  life,  and  has  now  entitled 
them  to  endless  joys. 

Consider,  sixthly,  how  much  the  an- 
guish and  confusion  of  the  wicked  will 
be  increased,  at  the  opening  of  the  books 
of  conscience,  when  the  guilt  of  their 
whole  lives  shall  be  laid  open  to  the 
public  view  of  the  universe.  Ah !  poor 
sinner!  what  will  thy  thoughts  be,  when 
those  crimes,  which  thou  hast  commit- 
ted in  the  greatest  secresy,  and  which 
thou  wouldst  not  have  had  known  for 
the  world; — those  abominations  which 
thou  imaginedst  covered  with  the  ob- 
scurity of  night  and  darkness,  and  which 
thou  didst  flatter  thyself  thy  friends 
and  acquaintance  would  never  know;— . 
those  works  of  iniquity,  which  perhaps 
thou  couldst  not  find  in  thy  heart  to 
discover  to  one  person,  tied  by  all  laws 
to  a  perpetual  secresy,  shall  all  now  be 
exposed  in  their  true  colours  to  the  eyes 
of  the  whole  world,  angels  and  men, 
good  and  bad,  to  thy  eternal  shame. 
Ah!  Christians,  it  is  now  in  your  power 
to  prevent,  by  a  sincere  repentance  and 


64 


ON   THE    LAST  SENTENCE 


confession,  this  confusion,  which   you 
must  otherwise  one  day  suffer. 


TWELFTH  DAY. 

ON  THE  LAST  SENTENCE  OF  THE  GOOD  AND 

BAD. 

Consider,  Jirst,  how  this  great  trial 
shall  be  concluded  by  a  final  definitive 
sentence  in  favour  of  the  just,  and  for 
the  condemnation  of  the  wicked.  And 
first,  the  sovereign  Judge,  turning  him- 
self towards  his  elect,  with  a  most  sweet 
and  amiable  countenance,  shall  invite 
them  into  the  happy  nnansions  of  ever- 
lasting bliss:  Come,  ye  blessed  of  tny 
Father,  take  possession  of  the  kingdom 
prepared  for  you  from  the  beginning  of 
the  world,  Matt.  xxv.  O  happy  invita- 
tion" happy,  thrice  happy  they  who 
shall  be  found  worthy  to  hear  that  com- 
fortable sentence!  What  unspeakable 
satisfaction,  what  torrents  of  joy  and 

j-.v„.,^..,i._.    TTixi     mv^    iicaiiiiy     KJi    11    t^iVe  to 

those   blessed  creatures?     I  am  filed 
with  joy,  says  the  royal  prophet,  at  the 


hP 


CE 

i^hich   you 
r. 


OF   THE  GOOD   AND   BAD. 


65 


GOOD  ANJ) 

• 

^reat  trial 
definitive 
t,  and  for 
:ed.  And 
ning  him- 
lost  sweet 
all  invite 
3  of  ever- 
ed  of  my 

kingdom 
inning  of 
3y  invita- 
hey  who 
that  com- 
speakable 

joy  and 
it  give  to 
im  filled 
et,  at  the 


happy  tidings  which  I  have  heard,  we  are 
to  enter  into  the  house  of  the  Lord,  Pa. 
cxxi.  But,  O!  what  envy,  what  rage 
and  malice  will  the  reprobate  feel  at 
the  hearing  of  this  invitation,  whan 
they  shall  see  several  of  their  acqrdmt- 
ancc  called  to  take  possession  of  t)  at 
eternal  kingdom,  which  they  also  mi,^.;Ht. 
have  so  easily  purchased,  had  not  their 
own  folly  and  stupidity  blindly  exchang- 
ed it  for  the  flames  of  hell. 

Consider,  secondly,  and  ponder  at  lei- 
sure upon  this  happy  sentence:  Come^ 
says  the  Judge,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father^ 
SfC.  Come  from  the  vale  of  tears,  where 
for  a  little  while  you  have  been  tried 
and  afflicted  by  the  appointment  of  my 
providence,  to  the  kingdom  of  never- 
ending  joy;  where  grief  and  sorrow 
will  exist  no  more.  Come  from  the 
place  of  thy  banishment,  where  for  a 
time  thou  hast  sighed  and  groaned  at  a 
distance  from  thy  heavenly  country,  to 

■"'J    '-- T -^i  itx^t-iii^   iiv/iiic,   ^T(,iic;i,c  iiiuu  oiiaii 

meet  with  all  that  thy  heart  can  desire 
to  complete  thy  happiness;  where  thou 
shalt  be  for  ever  inebriated  with  the 


66 


\ 


ON  THE  SENTENCE 


plenty  of  my  house,  and  drink  for  ever 
at  the  fountain  of  life.  "Arise,  my  be- 
loved, the  winter  is  now  pastj  the  floods 
and  storms  are  over;  arise  and  come." 
O  universal  and  eternal  blessings !  How 
my  poor  soul  contemns  all  other  happi^ 
ness,  in  hcpes  of  having  a  share  one 
day  in  this  blessed  sentence! 

Consider,   tkirdly,    how    the    great 
Judge,  after  having  invited  the  just  to 
his  glorious  kingdom,  turning  himself 
towards  the  wicked  on  his  left   hand, 
with  fire  in  his  eyes  and  terror  in  his 
countenance,  shall  thunder  out  against 
them   the   dreadful   sentence   of  their 
eternal  doom  in  these  words:  Go  from 
tne  you  accursed  into  everlasting  fre, 
which  was  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his 
angels.     Christian  souls,   weigh   well 
«very  word   of  this  dismal   sentence. 
Go  for  ever  from  me,  and  from  the  joys 
of  my  kingdom:  O  terrible  excommuni- 
cation!   O  cruel  divorce!     O  eternal 
tanishment!     Who  can  express— who 
can  conceive,  what  it  is  to  be  for  ever 
separated  from  God, — our  first  begin- 
ning and  last  '^nd,— our  great  and  sov- 


OF   THE  GOOD  AND   BAD. 


67 


k  for  ever 
36,  my  be- 
the  floods 
id  come." 
igs!  How 
ler  happi- 
hare  one 

tie  great 
le  just  to 
:  himself 
3ft  hand, 
:or  in  his 
t  against 
of  their 
Go  from 
■ing  fire, 
I  and  his 
igh  well 
sentence. 

the  joys 
ommuni- 

eternal 
ss — who 
for  ever 
it  begin- 
and  sov* 


4 


ereign  good.  Ah!  wretches  who  now 
make  so  little  account  of  losing  your 
God  by  mortal  sin,  what  will  you  then 
think,  when  you  shall  be  sentenced 
to  this  eternal  banishment  from  him; 
doomed  to  seek  him  during  eternity, 
and  yet  never  to  meet  him  in  any  of 
his  attributes,  except  his  avenging  jus- 
tice, the  weight  of  which  you  must  feel 
for  ever.  But  take  notice  whither  you 
are  to  go,  when  you  go  from  God. 
Alas!  into  everlasting  fire,  there  to  lead 
an  ever-dying  life,  there  to  endure  a 
never-ending  death,  in  the  company 
of  the  devil  and  his  angels;  to  whom 
you  made  yourselves  slaves,  and  who 
shall  now,  without  controul,  exercise 
their  tyranny  over  you  for  ever. 

Consider,  fourthly,  that  dreadful — 
that  universal  curse  which  this  just  but 
dismal  sentence  involves.  Go  from  me, 
ye  cursed,  says  the  sovereign  Judge:  as 
if  he  should  say.  Go,  depart  from  me, 

\\iti    tn}rck    VY\\T  u'tirvp  \u\jt\\    vnn         T   wniiM 

have  given  you  my  blessing,  but  you 
would  not  have  it;  a  curse  you  havfi 
chosen,  and  a  curse  shall  be  your  ever 


08 


ON   THE  LAST   SENTENCE 


lasting  inheritance.  It  shall  stick  close 
to  you,  like  a  garment,  for  all  eternity  j 
it  shall  enter  into  your  very  bowels,  and 
search  into  the  very  marrow  of  your 
bones.  A  curse  upon  your  eyes,  never 
to  see  the  least  glimpse  of  comfortable 
light : — a  curse  upon  your  ears,  to  be  en- 
tertained for  all  eternity  with  the  fright- 
ful shrieks  and  groans  of  the  damned: 
— a  curse  on  your  taste,  to  be  for  ever 

embittered  with  the  gall  of  dragons: 

a  curse  on  your  smell,  to  be  always  tor- 
me  ted  with  the  noisome  stench  of  the 
pit  :f  hell:— a  curse  on  your  feelings 
and  on  all  the  members  of  your  body, 
to   burn   and   never   consume   in   that 

^re  which  shall  never  be  quenched: 

a  curse  upon  your  understanding,  never 
to  be  illuminated  with  any  ray  of  truth: 
—a  curse  upon  your  memory,  to  be  al- 
ways revolving  in  bitterness  upon  a 
late  but  fruitless  ^-^pentance,  and  the 
shortness  and  vanity  of  past  pleasures: 
— a  curse  upon  your  imagination,  ever 
representing  present  and  future  mis- 
eries:—a  curse  upon  your  will,  obsti- 
nate in   evil,  torn  in    pieces  with  a 


OF   THE  GOOD   AND   BAD. 


69 


ick  close 
ternity; 
^e  Is,  and 
of  your 
s,  never 
fortable 
o  be  en- 
3  fright- 
lamned : 
or  ever 
gons : — 
ays  tor- 
of  the 
feelingy 
r  body, 
in  that 
;hed : — 
",  never 
f  truth: 
►  be  al- 
jpon  a 
nd  the 
asures : 
»,  ever 
e  mis- 
)  obsti- 
^ith  a 


-3 

.1 


thousand  violent,  and  withal,  opposite 
desires,  and  unable  to  accomplish'  any 
of  them: — a  curse,  in  fine,  upon  your 
whole  soul,  to  be  a  hell  to  itself  for  all 
eternity!  Good  God!  let  it  never  be 
our  misfortune  to  incur  such  dreadful 
curses! 

Consider,  Jifthly,  how,  after  sentence 
has  been  given,  the  elect  shall  enter 
without  delay  into  the  posserision  of 
that  everlasting  kingdom,  which  God 
has  prepared  for  those  that  serve  him, 
where  sorrow  can  have  no  place,  and 
joy  no  end.  But  as  for  the  wicked, 
the  earth  shall  immediately  open  and 
swallow  them  all  down  in  an  instant, 
with  the  devils  who  seduced  them,  into 
the  bottomless  pit;  when  the  gate  shall 
he  shut,  never,  no  never  more  to  be 
opened.  Behold  the  end  of  all  worldly 
pride:  behold  the  end  of  all  carnal  plea- 
sure. O!  how  horrid  a  thing  it  is  to 
fall  into  the  hands  of  the  living  Godf 
Heb.  X. 


;i 


70 


ON  HELL 


THIRTEENTH  DAY. 

ON   HELL. 

CoN&iDER,  first,  that  as  it  is  said  in 
holy  writ,  that  neither  eye  has  seen,  nor 
ear  heard,  nor  has  it  entered  into  the 
heart  of  man  what  God  has  prevared 
for  those  that  serve  him,  1  Cor.  n.  9.; 
so  we  may  truly  say  with  regard  to  " 
hell's  torments,  that  no  mortal  tongue 
can  express,  nor  human  heart  conceive 
them.     Beatitude,  acco.'ding  to  divines, 
is  a  perfect  and  never-ending  state,  com- 
prising  at  once  all  that  is  good,  w   hout 
any  mixliire  of  evil    If  then  da-nnacion 
be  the  opposite  to  beatitude,  it  must 
needs  be  a  complication,  an  everlasting 
deluge  of  all  that  is  evil,  without  the 
lecst  mixture  of  good,  the  least  alloy 
of  ease,  the  least  glimpse  of  comfort;  in 
a  word,  a  total  privation  of  happiness, 
and  a  chaos  of  misery. 

Consider,  secondly,  in  a  more  narti- 
culac  manner,  what'^  damnation  is,  and 
how  many  and  great  are  the  miseriej 
It  involves.    A  dying  life,  or  rather  a 


mm 

r    w 

a 

#'1 

1      ^ 

.♦   "V 

1*    w 

■■'J 

I      N 

ON  HELL. 


11 


said  in 
een,  nor 
into  the 
revared 
r.  ii.  9.; 
^ard  to 
tongue 
onceive 
iivines, 
te,  com- 
tb   \out 
tiRation 
t  must 
lasting 
)ut  the 
t  alloy 
brt;  in 
piness, 

parti- 
is,  and 
iseriej 
Lther  a 


♦i 


living  death; — a  darksonne  prison,  a 
loathsome  dungeon; — a  binding  of  hand 
and  foot  in  eternal  chains; — a  land  of 
horror  and  misery; — a  land  of  fire  and 
brimstone; — a  bottomless  pit; — devour- 
ing flames;— a  serpent  ever  gnawing; 
— a  worm  never  dying; — a  body  al- 
ways burning,  and  never  consumed; — 
a  feeling  always  fresh  for  suffering;— 
a  thirst  never  extinguished ; — perpetual 
weeping,  wailing,  and  gnashing  of  teeth. 
No  other  company  but  devils,  and  damn- 
ed wretches,  all  hating  and  cursing 
each  other,  and  hating  and  cursing  God; 
spirits  always  sick  and  in  agony,  yet 
never  meeting  with  death,  which  they 
so  much  desire;  cast  forth  from  the 
face  of  God  into  the  land  of  oblivion, 
none  to  comfort,  none  to  pity  them; 
wounded  to  the  heart  with  the  sense  of 
lost  happiness,  and  oppressed  with  the 
feeling  of  present  misery:  and  all  these 
sufferings  everlasting,  without  the  least 
hope  of  end,  intermission,  or  abatement 
This  is  a  short  description,  drawn  for 
the  most  part  from  the  unerring  word 
of  God,  of  the  miseries  which  eternal 


''M 


ON  HEtL. 

damnation  imports:  this  is  that  bitter 
cup  of  which  all  the  sinners  of  ^e  earth 
must  drink,  Psalm  Ixxiv.        -^  "'^  ^"'^'^ 
Consider,  thirdly,  that  God  in  all  his 
attributes  ,s  infinite:  as  in  his  powe^! 
wisdoir,,  goodness,  &f.  so  in  his  aveng- 
wg  just.ce  als,..     He  is  a  God  as  mu4 
in  hell  as  m  Heaven;  so  that  bv  the 
greatness  of  his  love,  n.ercy,  and  pa! 
tience  here,  we  n.-,y  measure  the  great- 
ness of  his  future  wrath  and  venglance 
agamst    impenitent   sinners   hereafter! 
«y  his  infinite  goodness  he  has  drawn 
^em  out  of  nothing:  he  has  preserved 
dbw^  Z''  long  time;  he  hr  ••  even  come 
down  from  his  throne  of  glory  and  si.f 
fared  himself  to  be  nailed'to  a'dis" 
ful  cross  for  their  eternal  saivatiol:  he 
has  frequently  delivered  them  from  the 
dangers  to  which  they  were  dail?  ex! 
posed;  patiently  borne  with  their  inso- 
lence and  repeated  treasons;  still  gra- 
ciously   inviting   them   to  repentance. 
AM  how  justly  does  his  patience,  so 
-"S  aousea,  turn  at  length  into  fury? 
Mercy  at  last  gives  place  to  justice:  aid 
a  thousand  woes  to  th«„,  wretches,  that 


ON  HELL. 


73 


4 


must  ibr  ever  feel  the  dreadful  weight 
of  the  avenging  hand  of  the  living  God! 
Consider,  fourthly,  and  in  order  to 
uadeiStaiid  somewhat  better  what  hell 
ip,;  set   before   your  eyes  a   poor  sick 
man  \fmg  on  his  bed,  burning  with  a 
pestilential  fever  attended  with  an  uni- 
versal pain  over  all  his  body,  his  head, 
as  it  were,  rent  asunder,  his  eyes  ready 
to  fly  out,  his  teeth  raging,  his  sides 
pierced  with  dreadful  stitches,  his  belly 
racked  with  a  violent  cholic,  his  reins 
with  the  stone  and  gravel;  all  his  limbs 
tormented  with  rheumatic  pains,  and  all 
his  joints  with  the  gout;  his  heart  even 
bursting  with  anguish,  'and  he  crying 
out  for  a  drop  of  "water  to  cool  his  ton- 
gue.    Can  any  thing  be  conceived  more 
miserable?  and  yet,  let  me  tell  you, 
this  IS  but  an  imperfect  picture  of  what 
the  damned  must  endure  in   hell   for 
eternity!  where  these  victims,  immo- 
lated  to  the  justice  of  God,  shall   be 
salted  all  ni^fiT*  tnUit   ^^^  „^j J 

._ ,-.,.,     i.xjt.vtt,  jvro,  anu    UiJUUre  ill 

all  the  senses  and  members  of  their 
body,  and  in  all  the  faculties  of  their 
souls,  exquisite  torments! 


74 


ON  HELL. 


Co}>isiJ)EVx,JifthIi/,  that  the  state  of  the 
poor  sick  man,  of  whom  we  have  just 
now  been  speaking,  how  deplorable  so- 
ever it  may  seem,  might  still  be  capable 
of  some  alloy  of  ease,  or  degree  of  com- 
fort; an  easy  bed  to  lie  on,  a  good  friend 
to  encourage  or  console  him,  a  good 
conscience  to  support  him,  a  will  re- 
signed to  the  will  of  God,  and,  in  fine, 
a  certain  knowledge  that  his  pains  must 
shortly  abate,  or  put  an  end  to  his  life. 
But  the  damned  have  nothing  of  all 
this.  Their  bed  in  hell  is  a  lake  or 
pit  burning  with  fire  and  brimstone,  to 
which  they  are  fastened  down  with  eter- 
nal chains:  their  companions  are  mer- 
ciless devils,  or  what  will  be  to  them 
worse  than  devils,  the  unhappy  part- 
ners of  their  sins:  their  conscience  is 
ever  gnawed  with  the  worm  that  never 
dies:  their  will  is  averse  from  God,  and 
continually  struggling  in  vain  with  his 
divine  will :  and  what  comes  in  to  com- 
plete their  damnation,  is  a  despair  of 
ever  meeting  with  an  end  or  abatement 
of  their  torments.  Good  God!  what 
would  not  a  prudent  man  do  to  prevent 


ON   THE   EXTERIOR,  ETC. 


76 


the  lying  but  for  one  night  in  torments 
in  this  life?  and  where  then  are  our  faith 
and  reason,  when  we  do  so  little  for 
escaping  the  dreadful  night  of  hell's 
merciless  flames! 


FOURTEENTH  DAY. 

ON  XIIE  EXTERIOR   PAINS   OF  HELL. 

Consider, /rs^,  the  description  which 
holy  Job  gives  us  of  hell.  Job  x.  when 
he  calls  it  a  darksome  land,  and  covered 
with  tht  obscurity  of  death;  a  country  of 
misery  and  darkness,  where  no  order, 
but  everlasting  horror  dwells.  In  this 
gloomy  region,  no  sun,  moon,  or  stars 
appear;  no  comfortable  rays  of  light, 
not  even  the  least  glimpse,  are  ever 
seen.  The  very  fire  that  burneth 
there,  contrary  to  the  natural  property 
of  that  element,  is  black  and  darksome, 
and  affords  no  light  to  the  wretches  it 
torments,  excent  it  hfi  in  fli«r»nvoi.  tr. 
them  such  objects  as  may  increase  their 
misery.  Christians,  v/'rut  would  you 
thixik,  were  you  to  be  ■  ^atenced  to  pass 


76 


ON  THE  TxiTmon 


the  remainder  of  your  days  in  some 
horrid   dungeon,   or   deep    hole   under 

F^'u"?  \Y.*'^'^  y""""  ^^"'^  '^^ver  see  uib 
ligh       Would  not  death  itself  be  pre- 
lerable   to  such   a   punishment?     And 
what  IS  th.i.,  when  compared  to  that 
eternal  mght  to  which  the  damned  are 
sentenced!     The  Egyptians  were  in  a 
sad  condition,  when  for  thrc3  days  the 
whole    kingdom   was   covered    with   a 
dreadful  darkness,  caused  by  such  -ross 
exhalations,  that  they  might  even  be 
felt  by  the  hand.     But  this  misery  was 
soon  over,  and  they  were  comforted  by 
the  return  of  light.     Not  so  the  damned 
in  hell,  whose  night  shall  never  have  a 

^^Te"fa  T  ^''''''  ^''^''''^  ^^^  dawning 
Consider,  secondly,  a.at  the  horror 
ot  this  eternal  night  shall  be  beyond 
measure  aggravated  by  .nu  dismal  /nu- 
SIC  wherewith  those  poor  wretches  shal? 
be  for  ever  entertained  in  this  melan- 
choly abode;  which  shall  be  n.  ot^^er 
than  the  dreadfnl  nnv^c.^^   ui. 

and    nsulting  voices  of  the  tormentors 
and  the  nowlings,  groans,  and  shrieks 


PAINS  OP  HELl.  77 

of  the  tormented,  &c.  And  that  the 
other  senses  may  also  partake  in  'their 
Share  of  misery,  the  smell  shall  be  for 
ever  regaled  with  the  loathsome  oxt 
ations  of  those  infernal  dunZ„s  and 
the  mtolerahle  stench  of  half  put 'S 

lac.e  shall   Lo  oppressed  with  a  mn^t 

letling  with  an  insupportable  fire. 

tormf  t'f    ■^'r'^^^'  "'^^  ''f  "»  bodily 

S  there    "^  ""  '^''"  ^"«'"  '"  »his 

,     ,      '"'^y?  '^  none  more  terrible  than 

to  burn  alive-    .yt,  alas!  the  e  is  „o 

omp^uson  b<  .ween  burning  h:r:\"d 

DaintJd  fl?        -7^  •  ■°"  ««'-'h  «re  but 

of  hell  Th'''  f  '°'"/'"°^  '»  'be  fire 
ot  iiell.  The  fire  of  this  world  was 
made  to  serve  u<!  .mrt  i,„  """"was 
but  that  nr  h!n    '  ^  """^  comfort; 

out  mat  of  hell  was  creaed  to  be  an 

instrument  of  the  vengeance  of  r^ 
upon  sinners.  The  firf  ofThis  wS 
cannot  subsist  witho.U  beinl  nourished 
by  some  pnrr.b..»'.hl'-    ---'■      °°'^^'^"cd 

Tuk^'irT"""'-'  »>"'  'he  fi're  of  hel 
«^mdted   by  the  breath  of  an  angry 
^,  requires  no  other  fuel  th^n  L. 


78 


ON   Tins   EXTERIOR 


which  feeds  it  without  ever  decaying 
or  consuming.  01  dreadful  stain  of 
sin,  which  suffices  to  maintain  an  ever- 
lasting fire!  The  fire  of  this  world 
can  only  reach  the  body;  but  the  fire 
of  hell  reaches  the  soul  itself,  and  fills 
it  with  most  exquisite  torments.  Ah! 
sinnej-s,  which  of  you  all  can  endure 
eternal  burning? 

Consider, /owr/A7?/,  and  in  order  to 
frame  a  just  notion  of  hell's  torments, 
give  ear  to  a  most  authentic  vision,  re- 
lated by  St.  Teresa,  chap,  xxxii.  of  her 
Life.  "As  I  was  one  day,"  says  the 
saint,  «in  prayer,  on  a  sudden  I  found 
myself  in  hell:  I  know  not  how  I  was 
carried  thither;  only  I  understood,  that 
our  Lord  was  pleased  that  1  should  see 
the  place  which  the  devils  had  prepared 
for  me  there,  and  which  I  had  deserved 
by  my  sins.  What  passed  here  with  me 
lasted  but  a  very  short  while;  yet  if  I 
should  live  many  years,  I  do  not  be- 
lieve I  should  ever  be  able  to  forget  it. 
The  entrance  appeared  to  me  To  re- 
semble that  of  an  oven,  very  low,  very 
narrow,  and  very  dark.    The  groand 


PAINS   OF  HELL. 


79 


cay  in  g 
\m  of 
1  ever- 
world 
le  fire 
ad  fills 
.  Ah! 
endure 

dor  to 
ments, 
on,  re- 
ef her 
^s  the 
found 
I  was 
i,  that 
ild  see 
spared 
;erved 
ithme 
!t  if  I 
ot  be- 
ret it- 

3  -  -      

to  re- 
,  very 
round 


seemed  like   mire,  exceedingly  filthy, 
slinking,  insupportable,  and   full   of  a 
multitude  of  loathsome  vermin.     At  the 
end  of  it   there  was  a  certain  ho-llow 
place,  as  if  it  had  been  a  kind  of  a  lit- 
tle press  in  a  wall,  into  which  I  found 
myself  thrust,  and  close  pent  up.    Now, 
though  all  this  which  I  have  said  was 
far  more  terrible  in  itself  than  I  have 
described  it,  yet  it  might  pass  for  a 
pleasure  in  comparison  with  that  which 
1  felt  in  this  press:  this  torment  was  so 
dreadful,  that  no  words  can  express  the 
least  part  of  it.     I  felt  my  soul  burning 
m  so  dismal  a  fire,  that  I  am  not  able 
to  describe  it.     I  have  experienced  the 
most  insupportable  pains,  in  the  judg- 
ment of  physicians,  which  can  be  cor- 
porally endured  in  this  world,  as  well 
by  the  shrinking  up  of  all  my  sinews, 
as  by  many  other  torments  in  several 
kinds:  but  all   these  were  nothing  in 
comparison  with  what  I  suffered  there: 

•»        ™     "viiiU     ni^ugiu,  liiii,  TiiiS 

was  to  be  without  end  or  intermission 
for  ever:  and  even  this  itself  is  still 
little,  if  compared  to  the  agony  the  soul 


80 


ON   THE  EXTERIOR 


IS  in;  It  seems  to  her  that  she  is  choked, 
that  she  IS  stifled,  and  her  anguish  and 
torture  go  to  a  degree  of  excess  that 
cannot  be  expressed.     It  is  too  little  to 
say,  that  it  seems  to  her  that  she  is 
butchered  and  rent  to  pieces;  because 
this  would  express  some  violence  from 
without,  which  tended  to  her  destruc- 
tion; whereas,  here  it  is  that  she  her- 
self IS  her  own  executioner,  and^ tears 
herself  in  pieces.    Now  as  to  that  in- 
tenor    fire  and    unspeakable   despair, 
which  comes  in  to  complete  so  many 
horrid  torments,  I  own  I  am  not  able 
to  describe  them.     I  saw  not  who  it 
was  that  tormented  me;  but  I  perceived 
myself  to  burn;  and,  at  the  same  time, 
to  be  cut  as  it  were,  and  slashed  in 
pieces.     In  so  frightful  a  place,  there 
was  no  room  for  the  least  hopes  of 
comfort;  there  wsa  no  such  thing  as 
even   sitting  or   lying    down:    I   was 
thrust  into  a  hole  in  a  wall;  and  those 
horrible  walls  close  in  upon  the  noor 
prisoners,  and  press  and  stifle  them. 
Ihere  is  nothing   but  thick  darkness 
Without  any  mixture  of  light,  and 


yet 


'^v. 


PAINS  OF   HELL. 


81 


>  is  choked, 
iguish  and 
xcess  that 
00  little  to 
bat  she  is 
?;  because 
3nce  from 
r  destruc- 
t  she  her- 
ana  tears 
0  that  in- 
5   despair, 
so  many 
not  able 
)t  who  it 
perceived 
ime  time, 
lashed  in 
ce,  there 
hopes  of 
thing  as 
:    I   was 
nd  those 
the  poor 
^e  them, 
darkness 
and  yet 


I  know  not  how  it  is,  though  there  be 
no  light  there,  yet  one  sees  all  that 
may  be  most  mortifying  to  the  sight. — 
Although  it  be  about  six  years  since 
this  happened  which  I  here  relate,  I  am 
even  now  in  writing  of  it  so  terrified, 
that  my  blood  chills  in  my  veins:  so 
that  whatsoever  evils  or  pains  I  now 
suffer,  if  I  do  but  call  to  my  remem- 
brance what  !  then  endured,  all  that 
can  be  suffered  here  appears  to  me  just 
nothing."  So  far  the  saint,  whose  re- 
lation deserves  to  be  pondered  at  lei- 
sure: for  if  such  t'^rrible  torments  had 
been  prepared  for  her,  whose  life  from 
her  cradle  (a  few  worldly  vanities, 
which  for  a  short  time  she  had  follow 
ed,  excepted;  had  been  so  innocent, 
what  must  sinners  one  day  expect? 

Consider,  Jifthly,  that  there  is  no 
man  on  earth,  in  his  senses,  who  would 
be  willing,  even  for  the  empire  of  the 
world,  to  be  broiled  on  a  gridiron  like 


u-x_A  i--.ir 


hour   by  a  slow  fire,  though   he  was 
sure  to  come  off  with   his   life;  nay, 
where  is  the  man  that  woifld  even  ven- 
6 


82 


ON   THE   INTERIOR 


ture  to  hold  his  finger  in  the  flame  of  a 
candle  for  half  a  quarter  of  an  hour, 
for  any  reward  that  this  world  can 
give?  Where  is  then  the  judgment  of 
the  far  greater  part  of  Christians,  who 
pretend  to  believe  a  hell,  yet  live  on 
with  so  little  apprehension  and  concern, 
for  years  together,  in  the  guilt  of  mor- 
tal sin;  in  danger  every  moment  of 
falling  into  this  dreadful  and  everlast- 
ing fire,  having  no  more  than  a  hair's 
breadth,  that  is,  the  slender  thread  of 
an  uncertain  life  between  their  souls 
and  a  miserable  eternity!  Good  God! 
deliver  us  from  this  unfortunate  blind- 
ness— from  this  desperate  folly  and 
madness. 


FIFTEENTH  DAY. 

ON    THE   INTERIOR    PAINS    OF    HELL. 

Consider,  first,  that  the  fire  of  hell 
with  all  the  rest  of  the  exterior  tor- 
ments, which  are  endured  there,  are 
terrible  indeed ;  but  no  ways  compara- 
ble to  the  interior  pains  of  the  soul; 


If 


€ 


\me  of  a 
Lii  hour, 
>rld  can 
;ment  of 
ins,  who 
live  on 
concern, 
of  mor- 
Tient  of 
3verlast- 
a  hair's 
read  of 
ir  souls 
od  God! 
te  blind- 
>lly  and 


HELL. 

o^hell 
'iur  tor- 
3 re,  are 
ompara- 
le  soul; 


PAINS   OF  HELL. 

the  pcona  damni,  or  eternal  loss  of  God, 
and  of  all  that  is  good — the  extremity 
of  anguish  which  follows  from  this  loss 
— the  rueful  remorse  of  a  bitter  but 
fruitless  repentance,  attended  with  ever- 
lasting rage  and  despair — the  complica- 
tion of  all  those  racking  tortures  in  the 
inward  powers  and  faculties  of  the  soul, 
are  torments  incomparably  greater  than 
any  thing  that  can  be  suffered  in  the 
body. 

Consider,  secondly,  in  particular,  that 
pain  of  loss,  which,  in  the  judgment  of 
divines,  is  the  greatest  of  all  the  tor- 
ments of  hell;  though  worldlings  here 
have  difficulties  of  conceiving  how  this 
can  be  possible.  Alas!  poor  sinners,  so 
v/eak  is  their  notion  of  eternal  goods, 
and  so  deeply  are  they  immersed  in 
the  goods  of  this  world,  amusing  them- 
selves with  a  variety  of  created  objects, 
which  divert  their  thoughts  from  God's 
sovereign  goodness,  that  they  cannot 
conceive  bow  the  loss  of  God  can  he 
so  great  and  dismal  a  torment,  as  his 
saints  and  servants,  who  are  guided  by 
better  lights,  agree  it  to  be.     But  the 


fr 


^i 


I 


84 


ON   THE   INTERIOR 


case  will  be  altered  when  they  find 
themselves  in  hell.  There  they  shall 
be  convinced,  by  woful  experience, 
what  a  misery  it  is  to  have  Iq^t  their 
God;  lost  him  totally;  lost  him  irrevo- 
cably; lost  him  eternally;  lost  him  in 
himself;  lost  him  in  all  his  creatures*, 
and  to  be  eternally  banished  from  him, 
who  was  their  only  happiness,  last  end, 
sovereign  good,  nay,  the  overflowing 
fountain  of  all  good:  and  in  losing  him 
to  have  lost  all  that  is  good,  and  that 
for  ever.  As  long  as  sinners  are  in 
this  mortal  life,  they  many  ways  par- 
take of  the  goodness  of  God,  v;ho  makes 
the  sun  to  rise  on  the  good  and  bad^  arid 
the  rain  to  fall  upon  the  just  and  unjust. 
All  that  is  agreeable  in  this  world,  all 
that  is  delightful  in  creatures,  and  all 
that  is  comfortable  in  life,  is  all  m  some 
measure  a  participation  of  the  divine 
goodness.  No  wonder  then,  that  the 
sinner,  whilst  he  so  many  ways  par- 

^.1„  -  C     .1     _        _.      _J__ _f     /~1-J        -1 u 

not  in  this  life  be  sensible  of  what  it  is 

#        to  be  totally  and  eternally  deprived  of 

him.    But  in  helu  alas!  those  unhappy 


#1 


5 


PAINS  OF  HELL. 


85 


jy  find 
y  shall 
rience, 
it  their 
irrevo- 
him  ill 
atures*, 
m  him, 
ist  end, 
flowing 
ng  him 
id  that 

are  in 
ys  par- 
)  makes 
ad^  and 
unjust, 
>rld,  all 
and  all 
m  some 

divine 

bat  the 

ys  par- 
-1 I J 

bat  it  is 
iveo  01 
nhappy 


wretches  shall  find,  that  in  losing  God, 
they  have  also  lost  all  kind  of  good  or 
comfort,  which  any  of  his  creatures 
^  heretofore  afforded ;  instead  of  which 
they  find  all  things  now  .conspiring 
against  them,  noi  any  way  left  of  di- 
verting the  dreadful  thought  of  this 
loss,  which  is  always  present  to  their 
minds,  and  grinds  them  with  inexpres- 
sible torments. 

Consider,  thirdly,  that  every  damned 
soul  shall  be  a  hell  to  herself,*and  all 
and  every  one  of  her  powers  and  facul- 
ties shall   have  their  respective  hells. 
Her  memory  shall  be  for  ever  torment- 
ed, by   revolving  without  ceasing  on 
her  past  folly,  stupidity  and  madness, 
in  forfeiting  the  eternal  joys  of  heaven, 
that  ocean  of  bliss,  which  she  might 
have  obtained  at  so  cheap  a  rate,  and 
which  so  many  of  her  acquaintance  are 
now  in   possession   of,   for  an  empty, 
trifling  pleasure,  that  lasted  but  for.  a 
"•  "■ '-"77  ""^  i'-ii'  "ULiHiig   Deniiia   but 
the  stam  of  sin,  arid  the  remorse  of  a 
guilty  con.science;  or,  for  some  petty  in- 
terest,  or  punctilio  of  honour,  bv  which 


f 


86 


ON  THE   INTERIOR 


'I 


II 


she  was  then  robbed  of  all  her  trea* 
sures  and  honours;  and,  upon  account 
of  which,  she  is  now  so  miserably  poor 
and  vliispicable,  eternally  trodden  under 
foot  by  insulting  devils.  Oh!  what  will 
her  judgment  then  be  of  this  transitory 
world,  and  all  its  cheating  vanities, 
when  after  having  been  millions  of 
ages  in  hell,  looking  back  from  that 
immense  eternity,  and  scarce  being  able 
to  find  out  in  that  infinite  duration,  this 
little  pofnt  of  her  "mortal  life,  she  shall 
compare  time  with  eternity.^  past  plea- 
sures with  present  pains,  virtue  with 
vice,  and  heaven  with  hell? 

Consider,  fourthly,  that  the  under- 
standing of  the  damned  shall  also  have 
its  proper  hell,  in  being  for  ever  de- 
prived of  the  light  of  truth,  always  em- 
ployed in  false  and  blasphemous  judg- 
ments and  notions  concerning  God  and 
his  justice,  to  the  great  increase  of  its 
own  misery;  and  ever  dwelling  upon 
the  thoughts  of  present  and  future  tor- 
ments, without  being  able  for  a  moment 
to  think  of  any  thing  else:  so  that  all 
and  every  one  of  the  torments  which 


PAINS  OF  HELL. 


87 


er  trea- 
account 
bly  poor 
111  under 
'hat  will 
ansitory 
vanities, 
lions  of 
om  that 
ling  able 
ion,  this 
5he  shall 
ist  plea- 
ue  with 

i  under- 
Iso  have 
3ver  de- 
"dys  em- 
us judg. 
jod  and 
se  of  its 
ng  upon 
ture  tor- 
moment 
that  all 
s  which 


the  damned  endure,  and  are  to  enduro 
for  eternity,  are  every  moment  before 
the  eyes  of  their  understanding;  and 
^  thus  in  every  moment  they  bear  the 
'  insupportable  load  of  a  miserable  eter- 
nity. 

CONSiBBu,  Jifthlp,  that  as  the  obsti- 
nate will  of  the  sinner  has  been  the 
most  guilty,  so  this  power  of  the  soul 
shall  suffer  in  proportion  the  greatest 
torment;  always  seeking  what  she  shall 
never  find,  and  ever  flying  from  what 
she  must  eternally  endure.     Ah  I  what 
fruitless   longings,  what   vain   wishes, 
shall    be   her   constant    entertainment,^ 
whilst  she  is  doomed  for  eternity,  never 
to  attain  to  any  one,  even  the   least^ 
thing  which  she  desires!    O!  who  caa 
express  that  violent  impetuosity,  with, 
which  the  will  of  these  wretches  is  now 
carried  towards  God :  sensible  as  they 
are  of  the  immense  happiness  which  is 
found  in  the  enjoyment  of  him?     But, 
alas!  they  always  find  arr  invisible  hand 
that  drives  them  back,  or  rather  they 
always  find  themselves  bound  fast  down* 
in  eternal  chains,  struggling  in  vain» 


¥ 


'^.--■n^XMtMMtSik? 


i 


P! 


1 


ON  A  MISERABLE  ETERNITY. 

with  that  hand  which  they  cannot  re 
sist,  and  unable  to  make  the  least  ap- 
proach towards  the  objects  of  their  reet- 
less  desires.  Hence  they  break  forth 
into  a  thousand  blasphemies;  hence  the  * 
whole  soul  is  torn  in  pieces  with  a 
whole  army  of  the  violeYit,  and  withal 
opposite  passions  of  fury,  envy,  hatred, 
despair,  &;c.  These  torments  of  the 
interior  powers  of  the  soul,  are  attend- 
ed with  that  never-dying  worm  of  con- 
science, which  shall  for  ever  pr^y  upon 
those  miscreants.  By  which  is  meant 
an  eternal  remorse,  a  bitter  but  fruit- 
less repentance,  which  is  ever  racking 
their  despairing  souls.  Sweet  Jesus, 
deliver  us  from  such  a  dreadful  com- 
plication of  evils! 


SIXTEENTH  DAY. 

ON    A    MISERABLE   ETERNITY. 

Consider,  Jirst^  that  what  above  all 
things  makes  hell  intolerable,  is  the 
itoruity  of  its  torments.  It  is  this  eter- 
nity, which  is  au  infinite  aggravation 


ON  A  MISERABLE  ETERNITY. 


89 


not  re 
last  ap- 
jir  reet- 
k  forth 
nee  the 
with  a 

withal 
hatred, 
of  the 
attend- 
of  con- 
jy  upon 

meant 
t  fruit- 
racking 

Jesus, 
il  com- 


ove  all 

is  the 

lis  eter- 

avatioa 


to  all  and  every  one  of  them:  it  is 
this  loathsome  ingredient  which  makes 
every  drop  of  that  bitter  cup  of  the 
divine  vengeance,  of  which  the  sinners 
of  the  eai'th  must  drink,  so  insupport- 
able. Were  there  any  hopes  that  the 
miseries  of  the  damned  would  one  day 
have  an  end,  though  it  was  after  mil- 
lions of  ages,  hell  would  no  longer  be 
hell,  because  it  would  admit  of  some 
comfort.  But,  for  all  those  inexpres- 
sible torments  to  continue  for  ever,  as 
long  as  God  shall  be  God,  without  the 
least  hopes  of  ever  seeing  an  end  of 
them:  Oh!  this  it  is,  that  is  the  greatest 
rack  of  the  damned.  O!  eternity,  eter- 
nity! how  little  do  worldlings  appre- 
hend thee  now!  But  how  terrible  wilt 
thou  be  to  them  one  day,  when  they 
shall  find  themselves  engulfed  in  thy 
bottomless  abyss,  there  to  be  for  ever 
the  butt  and  mark  of  all  the  arrows  of 
God's  avenging  justice! 

Consider,  secondly,  if  one  short  nierht 
seems  so  long  and  tedious  to  a  sick  man 
in  a  burning  fever;  if  he  tosses  and 
turns  to  and  fro,  and  no  where  finds 


1 


!H 


ill! 


90 


ON  A  MISERABLE  ETERNITY. 


rest;  if  he  counts  every  hour,  and  with 
so  much  impatience  longs  for  the  suc- 
ceeding morning,  which  yet  will  bring 
him  but  little  relief  or  comfort;  what 
must  this  dreadful  ni^^ht  of  eternity  be, 
accompanied  with  all  the  interior  and 
exterior  torments  of  hell!  No  man  in 
his  senses  would  purchase  a  kingdom 
at  the  rate  of  lying  for  ten  years  on  a 
soft  bed  of  down,  without  arising  from 
it.  Ah!  what  misery  then  must  it  be 
to  be  chained  dov  ;k  to  a  bed  of  fire  and 
brimstone,  not  ^"  ion  years,  nor  yet 
for  ten  thousand  Hmes  ten,  but  for  as 
many  hundred  thousand  millions  of 
ages,  as  there  are  drops  of  water  in  the 
ocean,  atoms  in  the  air,  or,  in  a  word, 
for  an  immense  eternity. 

Consider,  thirdly^  and  in  order  to 
conceive  still  better  what  this  eternity 
is,  imagine  with  thyself,  that  if  any 
one  of  the  damned  were  to  shed  but 
one  single  tear  at  the  end  of  every 
thousand  years,  till  he  had  shed  tears 
enough  to  fill  the  sea;  what  an  im- 
mense space  of  time  must  this  require! 
The  world  has  not  yet  lasted  six  thou- 


I 


ON  A  MISERABLE  ETERNITY. 


91 


im- 


sand  years;  so  that  the  first  of  all  the 
damned  would  not  have  shed  six  tears. 
And  yet,  O  dreadful  eternity!  the  time 
will  certainly  come,  when  anyone  of 
those  wretches,  that  are  now  in  hell, 
may  be  able  with   truth  to  say,  that, 
at  the  rate  of  one  tear,  for  a  thousand 
years,  he  might  have  shed  tears  enough 
to  drown  the  whole  world,  and  fill  up 
the  immense  space  between  heaven  and 
earth:  and  happy  v/ould  he  think  him- 
self if  his  torments  were  then  to  have 
an  end.     But,  alas  I  after  these  millions 
of  millions  of  ages,  he  shall  be  as  far 
from  the  end  of  his  misery  as  he  was 
the  first  day  he  fell  into  hell.     Com- 
pute after  this,  if  thou  pleasest,  as  many 
hundred  thousand  millions  of  years  as 
thy  thoughts  can  reach  to;  nay,  sup- 
pose the  whole  surface  of  the  earth  to 
be  covered  with  numerical  figures;  cast 
up,  if  thou  canst,  this  immense  sum  of 
years,  and  then  multiply  it  by  itself, 
and  multiply  again  a  ^second  time  the 
product  by  itself;  and  then  at  the  foot 


of  this  immense  account 
Here  begins  eternity, 


write  down, 
terrible  eter* 


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92  ON  A  MISERABLE  ETERNITY. 

nity!  is  it  possible  that  they  who  be- 
Iieve  thee,  should  not  fear  thee?  and  is 
It  possible,  that  they  v,ho  fear  thee, 
should  dare  to  sin? 

Consider,  fourthli/,  that  in  this  eter- 
nity It  would  be  some  small  comfort  to 
the  damned,  if  their  pains,  like  those 
ot   this   life,  had  any  intermission  or 
abatement.     But,  alas!  their  torments 
are  always  uniformly  the  same;  their 
eternal    fever   never   abates.     For  as 
their  sins  are  always  the  same,  and  the    ' 
gate  of  mercy  and  pardon  is  eternally 
shut  against  them,-  so  the  punishment 
ot  their  sins  shall  always  continue  in 
one  and  the  same  degree  of  rigor,  with- 
out the  least  remission  or  diminution. 
I  he  rich  glutton  in  hell,  Luke  xiv.  has 
not  yet  been  able  to  obtain  so  much  as 
that  single  drop  of  water,  for  which  he 
so  earnestly  begged;  nor  will  he  ever 
obtain   It   for  all  eternity.     Nor  shall 
length  of  time  inure  these  wretches  to 
those  evils  which  they  suffer,  so  as  to 
make  tjiem  the  more  supportable;  nor  • 
Siiau    iiabit    or  custom    harden   them 
against  their  acuteness;  but  after  mil 


ON  HEAVEN; 


93 


lions  of  ages  their  torments  shall  be  as 
fresh,  and  their  feelings  of  them  the 
same  as  on  the  first  day.  Great  God! 
who  can  bear  thy  indignation,  or  sup- 
port the  weight  of  thy  avenging  hand. 
O!  dreadful  evil  of  mortal  sin,  which 
can  thus  enJcindle  this  eternal  flame? 


SEVENTEENTH  DAY. 

ON  HEAVEN. 

Consider,  first,  that  if  the  justice  of 
God  be  so  terrible  in  regard  to  his  ene- 
mies, how  much  more  will  his  mercy, 
goodness,  and  bounty,  declare  them- 
selves in  favour  of  his  friends!  Mercy 
and  goodness  are  his  favourite  attri- 
butes, in  which  he  most  delights:  His 
tender  mercies,  says  the  royal  prophet, 
Psalm  cxliv.  are  above  all  his  works. 
What  then  must  this  blessed  kingdom 
be,  which  in  his  goodness  he  has  pre- 
pared for  his  beloved  children,  for  the 
— "•"^'■^■^"-i^^xi  v^i  Ills  liuuus,  giory  and 


magnificei 

dom,  which  the  Son  of  God  himself  hai 


mce  for  all  eternity.     A  king- 


u 


ON   HEAVEN. 


purchased  for  us,  at  no  less  a  price, 
than  that  of  his  own  most  precious 
blood.  No  wonder  then  that  the  apos- 
tle cries  out,  1  Cor.  ii.  9.  That  neiihei 
eye  hath  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  nor  hath 
it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man,  lohat 
God  has  prepared  for  those  that  love 
him.  No  wonder  that  this  beatitude  is 
described  by  divines,  as  a  perfect  and 
everlasting  state,  replenished  with  all 
that  is  good,  without  the  least  mixture 
of  evil;  a  general  and  universal  good, 
filling  to  the  brim  the  vast  capacity  of 
our  affections  and  desires,  and  eterr'  "V 
securing  us  from  all  fear,  danger,  d 
want  of  change.  O!  here  it  is,  that  the 
servants  of  God,  as  the  Psalmist  de- 
clares. Psalm  XXXV.  shall  he  inebriated 
with  the  plenty  of  God''s  house,  and  shall 
he  made  to  drink  of  the  torrent  of  his 
pleasure;  even  of  ihsit  fountain  of  life 
which  is  with  him,  and  flows  from  him, 
into  their  happy  souls  for  ever  and  ever. 
Consider,  secondly,  that  although  this 

nlnca/:>f1     lrinrrrlrv>-r»     nKr^nnrjcs    tiritV*    oil     tViof 

can  be  imagined   good  and   delightful, 
yet  there  is  one  sovereign  good,  in  the 


ON  HEAVEN. 


95 


sight,  love,  and  enjoyment  of  which 
consists  the  essential  beatitude  of  the 
soul;  and  that  is,  God  himself,  whom 
\he  blessed  shaU  ever  behold   face  to 
fice:  and,  by  the  contemplation  of  his 
mhnite  beauty,  are  set  on  fire  with  se- 
raphic flames  of  love,  and  by  a  most 
pure  and  amiable  union,  are  transform- 
ed in  a  manner  into  God  himself:  ,13 
n^hen  brass  or  iron  in  the  furnace  is 
perfectly  penetrated  by  the  fire,  it  loseth 
Its  own  nature,  and  becoiPeth  all  flame 
and   fire.     Happy  soul!  what  can   be 
wanting  to  complete  your  joys  who  are 
in  perfect  possession  of  God,  the  over- 
flowing source  of  all  good;  who  have 
within  and  without  you,  the  vast  ocean 
of  endless  felicity!     O!  the  excessive 
bounty  of  our  God,  who  giveth  his  ser- 
vants, in  recompense  of  their  loyalty,  a 
reward  so  great  and  good,  which  is  no- 
thing  less  than  himself,  who  is  the  im- 
mense joy  of  angels.     O !  shall  not  that 
suffice,  my  soul,  to  make  thee  happy, 
"■"'-"  ^^"*xveo  vjuu  iiimseii  happy/ 

CoNsiDEii,  thirdly,  the  glory  and  beau- 
ty ot  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  which 


96 


ON   HEAVEN. 


I  I    i 


the  holy  scriptiye,  to  accommodate  it- 
self to  our  weakness,  represents  under 
the  notion  of  such  things  as  we  most 
admire  here  below.     Thus  St.  John,  in 
his  Apocalypse,  describing  this  blessed 
city,  tells  us,  that  its  walls  are  of  pre- 
cious stones,  and  its  streets  of  pure  and 
transparent  gold:  that  these  streets  are 
watered  by  the  river  of  the  waters  of 
life,  which,  resplendent  as  chrystal,  flows 
from  the  throne  of  God;  and  that  on 
each  side  the  banks  of  this  river  grows 
the  tree  of  life;  that  thei^  shall  he  no 
night,  nor  any  sun  or  moon,  but  that 
the  Lord  God  shall  be  its  light  for  ever. 
O  blessed  Jerusalem!     O!  how  glorious 
are  the  things  t]iat  are  said  of  tJiee,  O 
city  of  God!    But  what  wonder?     For 
if  our  God  has  given  us  so  great  and 
noble  a  palace  here  below,  in  this  place 
of  banishment,  beautified  with  the  sun, 
moon  and  stars,  furnished  and  adorned 
with  such  an  infinite  variety  of  plants, 
flowers,  trees,  and  living  creatures  of 

on  mnn\7-  qnrtQ.  nil    siib«;firvip!nt.  to   man: 

iff  I  say,  he  has  so  richly  provided  for 
us  in  this  vale  of  tears,  and  region  of 


ON  HEAVEN. 


vt 


nodate  it- 
nts  under 

we  most 
;.  John,  in 
is  blessed 
re  of  pre- 

pure  and 
treets  are 
waters  of 
^stal,  flows 
d  that  on 
ver  grows 
hall  be  no 
,  but  that 
t  for  ever. 
\w  glorious 
of  thee,  O 
der?  For 
great  and 

this  place 
h  the  sun, 
d  adorned 

of  plants, 
matures  of 
t  to  man* 
ovided  for 

region  of 


the  shade  of  death,  what  must  our  eter- 
nal habitation  be  in  the  land  of  the  liv- 
ing,    l^  here  he  be  so  bountiful  even 
to  his  enemies,  in  giving  them  so  com- 
modious so  noble  a  dwelling,  what  may 
not  his  friends  and  servants  expect  in 
his  eternal  kingdom;  in  which,  and  by 
which  he  designs  to  manifest  to  them 
his   greatness  and   glory,   for   endless 
ages  in  an  everlasting  banquet,  which 
he  has  there  prepared   for  his  elect? 
Jilessed   by  all  creatures  be  his  good- 
ness lor  ever. 

Consider,  fourthly,  the   blessed   in- 
habitants  of    this   heavenly   kingdom, 
those  millions  of  millions  of  angels,  of 
whom  the  prophet  Daniel,  having  seen 
God  Alniighty  in  a  vision,  tells  us,  Dan. 
yiu.     I  hat  thousands  of  thousands  min- 
istered to  him,  and  ten  thousand  of  hun- 
areds   of  thousands  stood  before  him: 
that   infinite   multitude   of  saints  and 
martyrs,  and  other  servants  of  God  of 
both  sexes  gathered  out  of  all  nations, 

tribes   and    tonsruRs-   unf^   oK^,.«   *u . 

all,  the  blessed  Virgin  Mother  of  God, 
^ueen  ot    saints  and    angels:  whoso 


d8 


ON  HEAVEN. 


number  is  innumerable:  but,  O!  who 
can  express  the  happiness  of  enjoying 
the  society  of  this  most  noble,  glorious, 
wise,  holy  and  blessed  company.    They 
are  all  of  blood  royal:— all  kings  and 
queens: — all  children  and  heirs  of  the 
most  high  God;  ever  beautiful  and  al- 
ways  young;   crowned   with    wreaths 
of  immortal  glory,  and  shining  more 
bright  than  the  sun.     Their  love  and 
charity  for  each  other  are  more  than 
can  be  conceived :  they  have  all  but  one 
heart,  will,  and  soul;  so  that  the  joy 
and  satisfactiou  of  every  one  are  multi- 
plied as  many  fold,  as  there  are  blessed 
souls  and  angels  in  heaven,  by  the  in- 
expressible delight  each  other  takes  in 
the  happiness  of  all,  and  every  one  of 
the  rest.    O!  Christians,  let  us  then 
imitate  their  virtues  here,  that  we  may 
enjoy   their   happy   society   hereafter, 
and  with  them  eternally  sing  to  our 
God  the  immortal  canticles  of  praise 

in  Sion. 

ComimK,  fifthly,  that  what  renders 
the  joys  of  heaven,  and  the  felicity  of 
its  blessed  inhabitants  completely  great, 


14. 


i; 


f*i 


'W 


0!  who 

enjoying 
glorious, 
r.  They 
ings  and 
rs  of  the 
il  and  al- 

wreaths 
ng  more 
love  and 
ore  than 
il  but  one 
t  the  joy 
ire  multi- 
re  blessed 
3y  the  in- 
i'  takes  in 
ry  one  of 

us  then 
t  we  may 
hereafter, 
ig  to  our 
of  praise 

it  renders 
felicity  of 
ely  great, 


ON  IffiAVEW. 


99 


I 


1  ■». 

1 


M  the  consideration  of  the  daration  of 
thw  bhss,  and  that  infallible  certify 
and  security  which  they  enjov  hl^ 
their  happiness  is  even^linZd'S 
Gods  eternity;  that  as  C  .„  V^ 
S'>  «°t'  they  shall  reli^  ^^ 
3  '"'»«, Wessed  kingdom.    O!  my 

t'tkTorSrtoth-'^''^'''''"''"^ 
and  there  tX  thys Snnli^T"'^' 
pr^pect  of  endless^gisVo!  tSj: 

joys  for  th J*'  P'^Pf  ^"^  ^"'^h  i""norte^ 
wis  JJf  •^''^"^  ^'^  ^»°h  small  ser- 
vicer, and  designed  them  for  thee  from 
all  eternity      Norshill  .k;„  • 
eternity  ren^r.,   *u  ■        ""menso 

th^  that  etiSllv /'^  ^""^  " 

ral.  and  fro;;;";^!;  "^u'rlUa 
journey  toward,  this  glorLXvSf 


100 


ON  THE  SMALL  NUMBER 


ly,  and  eternal  kingdom.  There  thou 
Shalt  find  all  that  thy  heart  can  desire, 
immortal  honours;  immense  riches; 
pure  and  eternal  pleasures;  life,  health, 
beauty  never  fading,  &c.  O I  this  alone 
is  thy  true  home — the  land  of  the  living. 


EIGHTEENTH  DAY. 

ON  THE   S1\IALL   NUMBER  OF   THE  ELECT. 

Consider,  ^rs^,  those  words  of  Christ, 
Many  are  called^  hut  few  are  chosen; 
which  contain  a  great  and  awful  truth, 
frequently  inculcated  by  the  mouth  of 
truth  itself,  to  rouse  unthinking  mortals 
from  that  profound  lethargy  into  which 
the  enemy  has  lulled  them.  This  is 
one  of  those  lessons  which  he  has  laid 
down  for  a  foundation  of  christian  moral- 
ity, in  his  divine  sermon  on  the  moun- 
tain, St.  Matt.  vii.  13,  14.  where  he 
exhorts  us  to  enter  in  at  the  narrow 
gate,  for  broad  is  the  gate,  and  wide  is 
the  way,  that  leads  to  damnation,  and 
many  there  are  that  enter  by  it,  O!  how 
narrmv  is  the  gate,  and  strait  the  way 


3  thou 

desire, 
riches; 
oealtb, 
3  alone 
living. 


OF  THE  ELECT. 


101 


ELECT. 

Christ, 
chosen; 

truth, 
uth  of 
xiortals 

which 
Phis  is 
as  laid 

moral- 

moun- 
ere  he 
narrow 
wide  is 
m,  and 
0!  how 
.he  way 


that  leads  to  life,  and  how  few  there  are 
that  find  it.     Hence  in  the  same  sermon 
he  declares,  that  not  every  one  that  says 
to  me,  Lord,  Lord,  shall  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven:  hut  he  that  doth  the 
will  of  my  Father  who  is  in  heaven,  viz. 
by  a  faithful  compliance  with  the  law 
of  God  and  his  gospel.     Without  this, 
he  assures  us,  that  it  will  avail  us  no- 
thmg,  even  to  have  done  miracles  ia 
his  name.     Many  shall  say  to  me  on 
that  day  (of  judgment,)  Lord,  have  we 
not  prophesied  in  thy  name,  and  cast  out 
devils  in  thy  name,  and  done  many  won* 
ders  in  thy  name?    And  then  I  will  de* 
dare  to  them,  that  I  never  knew  you, 
depart  from  me,  ye  workers  ot'  iniquity. 
Good  God!  what  will  become  of  us,  if 
those,  that  have  even  done  miracles  in 
thy   name,  shall   nevertheless   be  ex- 
cluded thy  eternal  kingdom? 

Consider,  secondly,  liow  many  ways 
this  frightful  truth  has  been  declared 
or  prefiffured   in    th*^  Olfl   'T'^cfow,^^* 


-L  V^ObClXiiUiib. 


Ut  a!l  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  only 
eight  souls,  viz.  Noah  and  his  family, 
were  preserved  in  the  ark  from  the 


ON  THE  SMALL  NUMBER 

waters  of  the  deluge;  of  six  hundred 
thousand  of  the  children  of  Israel,  who 
came  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt  under 
the  conduct  of  Moses,  only  two  persons, 
Joshua  and  Caleb,  entered  Canaan,  the 
land  of  promise;  which  figure  the  apos- 
tle St.   Paul   expressly   applies   to   us 
Christians,  1  Cor.  x.     To  the  same  ef- 
fect the  prophet  Isaias,  chap.  xxiv.  13, 
14.  likens  those  that  shall  escape  the 
divine  vengeance,  to  the  small  number 
of  olives  that  is  left  on  the  tree  after 
the   fruit  is  gathered,  or  to  the  few 
bunches  of  grapes  that  are  found  on 
the  vines  after  a  well  gleaned  vintage. 
Ah!  Christians,  hear  then  and  obey  the 
voice  of  your  Saviour,  who  bids  you, 
St.  Luke  xiii.   23.     Contend   (that   is, 
strive  with  all  your  force)  to  enter  in  at 
the  narrow  gate,  for  many,  1  assure  you, 
shall  seek  to  enter,  and  shall  not  be  able: 
because  the   generality  of  Christians, 
though  they  use  some  endeavours  to 
enter,  yet  they  do  not  strive  with  all 
their  force;  they  are  not  thoroughly  in 
earnest  in  their  seeking,  and  therefore 
shall  never  find.    Hear  again  with  fear 


1 


-^K 


OF   THE  ELECT. 


103 


lundred 
el,  who 
i  under 
)ersons, 
lan,  the 
le  apos- 
to   us 
imo  ef- 
dv.  13, 
ipe  the 
lumber 
e  after 
le  few 
jnd  on 
intage. 
•ey  the 
s  you, 
iiat  is, 
r  in  at 
re  you, 
eahle: 
stians, 
jrs  to 
ith  all 
hly  in 
refore 
h  fear 


1 


and  trembling  the  groat  apostle  St.  Peter, 
when  he  tells  you,  that  if  the  just  mil 
hardly  he  saved,  where  will  the  sinner  ajh 
pear?  (First  epistle, chap,  iv.ver.  18.)  O 
my  soul  1  let  us  then  take  care,  as  the  same 
apostle  admonishes,  2  Pet.  i.  hygood  works 
to  make  our  election  sure:  and  if  others 
will  go  in  crowds  to  hell,  let  us  resolve 
not  to  go  with  them  for  company  sake. 
Consider,  thirdly,  that   though   the 
scripture  had  said  nothing  of  the  small 
number  of  the  elect,  yet  that  this  truth 
must  appear  evident  to  us,  if  we  com- 
pare  the   lives   of  the   generality   of 
Christians  with   the  gospel   of  Christ 
and  his  holy  commandments.     If  thou 
unit  enter  into  life,  says  our  Lord,  Matt. 
XIX.  keep  the  commandments:  there  is 
no  other  way  to  life  everlasting.     And 
the  first  and  greatest  of  all  the  com- 
mandments, is  this,  thou  Shalt  love  the 
Lord  thy  God  with  aU  thy  heart,  with 
all  thy  soul,  with  all  thy  mind,  and  with 
all  thy  strength.  Matt.  xxii.     Now  how 
i8w  are  there  that  keep  this  command- 
ment?   It  is  easy  to  say,  with  the  ge- 
nerality of  Christians,  that  we   love 


104 


ON  THE  SMALL  NUMBER 


God  with  our  whole  heart;  but  what 
is  the  practice  of  our  lives?    Do   not 
self-love,  vain-glory,  sensuality,  &c.  on 
every  occasion  take  place?    If  so,  it 
is  in  vain  to  say  we  love  Mm  above 
all  things.     And  yet  there  is  no  salva- 
tion without   this  love.     Think  well 
ON   THIS.     Besides,  the   apostle  James 
declares,  chap.  iv.  4.  that  whosoever  mil 
he  a  friend  of  this  world,  becomes  an 
enemy  of  God:  and  St.  John,  epist.  i. 
chap.  ii.  ver.  15.     If  any  one  love  the 
world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in 
him:  nay,  does  not  Christ  himself  de- 
clare, that  we  cannot  serve  two  masters^ 
Matt.  vi.  24.     How  then  can  we  think 
to  reconcile  the  conduct  of  the  greatest 
part  of  those  who  call  themselves  Chris- 
tians (whose  whole  study  is  to  please 
the  world,  and  conform  themselves  to 
its  false  maxims,  corrupt  customs,  and 
deluded  vanities)  with  their  expectation 
of  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  which  is  not 
to  be  otherwise  obtained  but  by  using 
T^x^,v,ii-^v-   lO  »juiocivu«,  renouncing  uns 
sinful  world,  and  by  a  life  of  self-denial 
and  mortification? 


t  what 
l)o  not 
&c.  on 
'  so,  it 
above 
»  salva- 

WELL 

James 
er  will 
nes  an 
pist.  i. 
we  the 
not  in 
elf  de- 
asterSf 
think 
reatest 
Chris- 
please 
ves  to 
s,  and 
station 
is  not 
using 
>'  this 
denial 


OF  THE  ELECT. 


105 


Consider,  fourthly,  how  great  a  cor- 
ruption is  generally  found  even  amongst 
the  greatest  part  of  true  believing  Chris- 
tians, and  from  thence  form  a  judgment 
of  their  future  lot.  How  few  are  proof 
against  human  respects,  and  the  -perni- 
cious fear  of  what  the  world  wiu  say! 
Alas!  what  numbers  sacrifice  their  eter- 
nal salvation  to  this  accursed  fear,  by 
rather  choosing  to  forfeit  the  grace  of 
God,  than  the  false  honour  and  esteem 
of  this  world!  How  many  of  those, 
whose  birth  and  fortune  have  advanced 
them  above  the  level  of  their  fellow 
mortals,  live  continually  in  the  state  of 
damnation,  by  a  cursed  disposition  of 
never  putting  up  with  an  affront,  and 
of  preferring  their  worldly  honour  be- 
fore their  conscience!  Unhappy  men! 
who,  by  conforming  themselves  now  to 
those  false  maxims  of  deluded  world- 
lings, will  be  trampled  under  foot  by 
insulting  devils  for  all  eternity!  How 
few  masters  of  families  are  sincerelv 
solicitous  for  those  under  their  charge, 
to  see  that  instructions  be  not  wanting, 
devotions  be  not  neglected,  &c.  and  that 


I 


if' 


106       ON  THE  SMALL  NUMBER,  ETC. 

nothing  scandalous  or  sinful  lurk  under 
the  favour  of  their  negligence  or  con- 
nivance! and  yet  the  apostle  assures  us, 
that  if  any  man  neglects  the  care  of 
his  family,  he  is  worse  than  an  infidel, 
1  rim.  V.  8.     How  few  parents  effect- 
ually take  care  to  bring  up  their  chil- 
dren from  their  infancy  in  the  fear  of 
Cfod,  and  to  inspire  into  them  an  early 
horror  of  sin  above  all  evils !    Ah !  what 
a  double  damnation  will  the  greatest 
part  bring  upon  themselves,  by  sacri- 
ncing  these  tender  souls  to  the  devil 
and  the  world,  which  they  might  with 
so  much  ease  have  consecrated  to  heav- 
®? *,./".  ^^^^'  ^^^  to  run  over  all  states 
ot  life  m  particular,  is  it  not  visible 
that  injustice,  impurity,  pride,  detrac- 
tion,  &c.  every   where   reign  among 
Christians;  and    that  the   number  of 
those  who  live  up  to  the  gospel  is  in- 
deed    very  small?     Good   God!  have 
mercy  on  us,  and  grant  us  grace  to  be 
of  the  number  of  the  few,  that  so  we 
i..^j  »^j  iiiuiuuuu  m  me  number  of  the 
saved. 


'C. 

k  under 
or  con- 
ures  us, 
care  of 
infidel, 
5  effect- 
iir  chil- 
fear  of 
n  early 
i!  what 
greatest 
^  sacri- 
B  devil 
It  with 
)  heav- 
states 
visible 
detrac- 
among 
)er  of 
is  in- 
havo 
)  to  be 
so  we 
of  the 


ON   MORTAL  SIN.  107 


NINETEENTH  DAY. 

ON   MORTAL   SIN. 

Consider,  j^rs^,  that  there  is  not  upon 
earth,  nor  even  in  hell  itself,  a  more  hid- 
eous, filthy,  abominable  monster,  than 
mortal  sin :  a  monster,  the  first-born  of 
the  devil ;  or  to  speak  more  properly, 
the  parent  both  of  the  devil  and  hell. 
There  was  not  in  the  whole  universe  a 
creature  more  beautiful,  more  perfect, 
or  more  accomplished  with  all  kinds  of 
gifts,  both  of  nature  and  grace,  than 
was  the  bright  angel  Lucifer,  and  hia 
companions,-  yet  one  mortal  sin, and  that 
only  consented  to  in  thought,  changed 
them  in  an  instant  into  ugly  devils,  just 
objects  of  horror  and  abomination  to 
God  and  man.  What  effect  then  think 
ye  will  sin  have  upon  man,  who  is  but 
mere  dust  and  ashes,  if  it  blast  so  foully 
the  stars  of  heaven?    It  was  this  mon- 


.  i~ i 


xjrva,   oiii,    bliUl   \^aOl,     KJUl     111  SI     UUiUIilS   JJUl 

of  paradise,  and  condemned  both  of 
them,  and  us  their  posterity,  to  innume- 
rable miseries,  and  to  both  a  tempo- 


108 


ON  MORTAL   SIN. 


I 


ral  and  eternal  death.  It  was  sin  that 
drowned  the  world  with  the  waters  of 
the  flood,  and  daily  crowds  hell  with 
millions  of  poor  souls,  to  be  the  fuel  of 
endless  flames.  Good  God!  deliver  us 
from  this  accursed  evil. 

Consider,  secondly,  that  sin  is  the 
death  of  the  soul.     For  as  it  is  the  soul 
of  a  man  which  gives  life  to  his  body, 
so  consequently  that  body  from  which 
the  soul  has  departed,  is  dead:  in  like 
manner,  as  it  is  the  grace  of  God  which 
IS  the  life  of  the  soul,  so  that  soul  is 
dead  which  has  lost  her  God  and  his 
grace  by  mortal  sin.     If,  then,  a  dead 
corcass,  from  which  the  soul  has  de- 
paried,  be  so  loathsome  and  frightful, 
that  few  could  endure  to  pass  one  night 
m  the  same  bed  with  it,  how  is  it  pos- 
sible, unhappy  sinner,  that  thou  canst 
endure  to  carry  continually  with  thee 
the  carcass  of  a  soul  dead  in  mortal 
sm,  which  is  far  more  loathsome  and 
hideous!    Ah !  beg  of  God  that  he  would 
open  thy  eyes  to  behold  thine  own  de- 
plorable state,  and  detest   the  hellish 
monster  sin,  which  thou  hast  so  long 


ON  MORTAL  SIN. 


109 


«f  * 


nourished  in  thy  breast,  and  which  is, 
alas!  the  true  cause  of  all  thy  misery! 

Consider,  thirdly,  what  the  soul  loses 
by  sin,  and  what  she  gains  in  recom- 
pense of  this  loss.  She  forfeits  the 
grace  of  God,  the  greatest  of  all  treas- 
ures; and  in  the  loss  thereof,  she  loses 
God  himself.  She  loses  the  fatherly 
protection  and  favour  of  God,  she  loses 
the  dignity  of  a  child  of  God,  and  spouse 
of  Christ;  she  forfeits  her  right  and  title 
to  an  eternal  kingdom;  she  is  stripped 
of  all  the  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  rob- 
bed of  all  the  merits  of  her  whole  life; 
becomes  a  child  of  hell,  and  a  slave  of 
the  devil;  spiritually  possessed  by  him, 
and  with  him  liable  to  eternal  damna- 
tion: this  is  all  she  gains  by  sin:  be- 
cause the  wages  of  sin  is  death,  Rom.  vi. 
the  death  of  the  soul  here,  and  a  se- 
cond and  eternal  death  hereafter.  Ah! 
wretched  sinners,  open  your  eyes  to 
see,  and  bewail  your  lamentable  blind- 
ness, in  thus  exchanging  God  for  the 

UCVlI,    llUUVUii   lUi"    iiuli. 

^  Consider,  fourthly,  that  sin  is  infi- 
nitely odious  and  detestable  in  the  sight 


li.'.y*".''***'''*"*""*'*'*'**'"*'!  ii'tiMfci  -ffnaniLiiiL. . 


>mmmt^  ; 


110 


ON  MORTAL  SIN. 


of  God,  as  being  infinitely  opposite  to 
his  sovereign  goodness.  He  hates  it 
with  an  eternal  and  necessary  hatred; 
and  can  no  more  cease  to  hate  it,  than 
he  can  cease  to  be  just.  Hence  if  the 
most  just  man  upon  earth  were  so  un- 
happy as  to  fall  into  the  least  mortal 
sin,  he  would  in  that  instant  become 
the  enemy  of  God,  and  were  he  to  die 
in  the  guilt  thereof,  he  would  certainly 
feel  the  weight  of  God's  avenging  jus- 
tice for  all  eternity.  Ah!  Christians, 
never  let  us  be  so  mad  as  to  venture  to 
wage  war  with  God.  Alas!  how  many 
dreadful  judgments  does  he  daily  exer- 
cise upon  sin  and  sinners?  How  many, 
in  punishment  of  sin,  are  snatched  away 
in  the  flower  of  their  age,  by  sudden 
and  unprovided  death?  How  many  die 
in  despair?'  How  many,  after  having 
long  abused  God's  graces,  are  given  up 
to  a  reprobate  sense,  and  hardness  of 
heart,  the  worst  and  most  terrible  of 
all  his  judgments?  O!  let  us  tremble 
at  the  thoughts  of  so  ereat  a  nnisfor- 
tune;  let  us  be  convinced,  that  there 
can  be  no  misery  so  great  as  that  which 


ON  MORTAL   SIN. 


Ill 


)osite  to 

hates   it 

hatred ; 

it,  than 

e  if  the 

e  so  un- 

:  mortal 

become 

3  to  die 

ertainly 

ing  jus- 

ristians, 

nture  to 

IV  many 
ly  exer- 

V  many, 
3d  away 

sudden 
lany  die 

having 
;iven  up 
ness  of 
rible  of 
tremble 

misfbr- 
t  there 
t  which 


we  mcur  by  mortal  sin;  and  that  we 
ire  more  our  own  enemies,  and  do  our- 
selves more  mischief,  by  consenting  to 
but  one  mortal  sin,  than  all   the  men 
upon  earth,  and  all  the  devils  in  hell 
could  do  us,  though  they  were  all  to 
conspire   together   to  do  their  worst- 
because  all  they  can  do,  so  long  as  we 
refuse  consent  to  sin,  cannot  hurt  the 
soul;    whereas,  by  consenting  to  one 
mortal   sm,  we  bring  upon  our  own 

nMU  ^  ^^^^^^"1  and  eternal  death. 
Crdbd  God!  never  suffer  us  to  be  so 
blmded  as  to  become  thus  the  murder- 
ers of  our  own  souls. 

Consider,  ffihly,  O  my  soul!  and 
tremble  at  the  multitude  of  thy  trea- 
sons against  God,  by  which  thou  hast 
so  often  provoked  his  indignation  dur- 
ing the  whole  course  of  thy  life.  Alas ! 
is  It  not  too  true,  that  no  sooner  didst 
thou  come  to  the  use  of  reason,  than 
thou  didst  abandon  thy  king  and  thy 
God,  under  the  wings  of  whose  father- 

Iv  nroffiPflnn  thnij  h-yAn*-   1 .•I—  % 

J-  ..  ^,,.^t»  iiwuas.  iiappiivr  passed 

the  days  of  thy  innocence?    A!   how 
early  didst  thou  fly  away  from  the  best 


n 


112       ON  THE  RELAPSING  SINNBE. 

Of  Fathers,  and,  like  the  prodigal  son, 
squandering  away  thy  substance  in  a 
strange  land,  hast  sought  in  vain   to 
satisfy  thy  appetite  with  the  husks  of 
swine.     Recall  to  thy  remembrance,  in 
the  bitterness  of  thy  soul,  all  the  years 
ot  thy  past  life;  and  see  what  treasures 
ot  iniquity,  in  thought,  word,  and  deed, 
will  discover  themselves  to  thy  eyes- 
consider   how   long  thou   hast   uncon-' 
cernedly  sported    on   the   brink   of  a 
dreadful  precipice,  having  no  more  than 
a  hair's  breadth  betwixt  thy  soul  thd 
ije  1,  and    be  confounded   at   thy  past 
tolly;  admire  and  adore  the  goodness 
ot  thy  God;  and  now  at  least  resolve 
to  embrace  his  mercy. 


TWENTIETH  DAY. 

ON   THE   RELAPSING   SINNER. 

Consider,  frst,  that  if  one  mortal 
sin  be  so  heinous  a  treason  against  the 
sovereign  majesty  of  God,  as  we  have 
seen  m  the  foregoing  chapter;  if  every 
such  sin  be  an  abomination  to  our  Lord, 


I 


t 


SB. 

igal  son, 
ice  in  a 

vain  to 
msks  of 
•ance,  in 
le  years 
reasures 
id  deed, 
y  eyes: 

uncon- 
k  of  a 
>re  than 
3ul  Shd 
ly  past 
Dodness 
resolve 


mortal 
ist  the 
i  have 
every 
Lord, 


ON   THE  RELAPSING   SINNER.        113 

and  the  death  of  that  unhappy  sinner 
who  is  guilty  of  it,  what  must  we  think 
of  the  miserable  condition  of  relapsing 
sinners,  that  is,  of  such  Christians  as 
are  continually  relapsing  again  and 
again  into  the  same  mortal  sins,  after 
repeated  confessions  and  solemn  prom- 
ises of  amendment?  Alas!  what  can 
we  otherwise  think,  but  that  by  this 
method  of  life  they  are  treasuring  up 
to  themselves  wrath  against  the  day 
of  wi'ath;  which  will  in  all  appear- 
ance, sooner  or  later,  draw  down  the 
dreadful  vengeance  of  God  upon  their 
guilty  heads.  Because  by  every  relapse 
their  crime  is  aggravated,  and  their  lat- 
ter condition  becomes  worse  than  the 
former. 

Consider,  secondly,  the  ingratitude, 
the  perfidiousness,  the  contempt  of  God, 
of  which  the  relapsing  sinner  is  guilty, 
as  often  as,  after  his  reconciliation,  he 
returns  like  a  dog  to  the  vomit.  He  is 
guilty  of  the   highest   ingratitude,  in 


rcuuuig  uiiuur  iuul  mu  gracC  Oi   recon-' 


f  «.-.«.-?;=-..-»•    ,,_J-«     iV-*    4V-..-. 


ciliation,  by  which  he  had  been  a  little 
before  raised  from  the  dunghill  of  sin, 


•# 


8 


MiMHMlii 


»»<.,. I.>.|«T   .....Ma»^.-^-.»t- 


I 


114       ON  THE   RELAPSING    SINNER. 

i  and  even  drawn  out  of  the  jaws  of  hell  • 

and  by  a  distinguishing  mercy  restored 
to  the  friendship  of  God,  to  the  dignity 
of  a  child  of  God  and  heir  of  heaven. 
[|  tie  is  guilty  of  a  base  perfidiousness,  in 

breaking  the  solemn  promise  he  made 
to  God  in  his  confession.     He  is  guilty 
ot  a  notorious  contempt  of  the  Divine 
Majesty,   in   banishing   God   from   his 
soul    after  having  invited  him  in,  and 
of  mtroducmg  Satan  in  his  place:  and 
this,  after  a  full  knowledge  and  expe- 
rience  of  both  sides.     Good   God!  to 
put  the  whole  universe  in  balance  with 
thee,  would  be  a  most  heinous  affront- 
since  heaven,  and  all  the  powers  there- 
of, the  earth  and  seas,  and  all  things 
therein,  are  less  than  a  grain  of  sand, 
^compared  to  thee:  what  then  must 
we   think   of  the   unparalleled   injury 
done    thee   by   the   relapsing    sinner, 
when,  putting  thee  and  Satan  in  the 
scales,  he  gives  the  preference  to  the 

_  Consider,  thirdly,  the  dreadful  ^nn. 

I  if        !!m  ^^  "^^^"^^  ^^^  relapsing  sinne7is 
daily  exposed,  from  the  sword  of  the 


t  ■■ 


• 


ON   THE   RELAPSING   SINNER.        II5 

divine  justice  hanging  over  hi,  „.,-r. 
head,  which  he  his  dlily  'voke^  b^: 
his   ingratitude  and    insolent     aiJ?^ 

we  are  all  n^ortal;  we  iX  W 
he  day  nor  the  hour  that  will  be  ou^ 
ast :  should  we  be  surprised  by  dea?h 

av^berV/  '""'•^'  ''"'  -  *^ 
imve  been,  we  are  irrecoverably  lost 

if  then  It  be  madness  at  any  tirnr.« 

mk  eternity  by  consenting  fo  mortS 

sin,  how  much  more  to  provokTtt 

wnere  the  worm  never  dies,  nor  i«  tKi 
fire  ever  quenched!    Unhaly  wietS 
es!    they  designed  as   little'^Vdal' 
themselves  as  any  of  us  do-  but  P^ 
will  not  be  laughed  at.  '  ""'  ^ 

CoNsiDER,>„rtA/y,  another  evil  which 

"pprenend,  is  the  insincerity  of  HIq  noJ» 
repentance.     For  in  v^lv^      ^    P^* 

pearanceisth'^l^rtUtSt'^^ 


116       ON   THE   RELAPSING   SINNER. 

resolution  of  amendment  have  been 
such  as  God  requires,  when  after  so 
many  confessions  he  is  still  the  same 
man?  True  contrition  is  a  sovereign 
grief,  by  which  the  penitent  detests  his 
sm  above  all  other  evils,  with  a  full 
determination  and  firm  resolution  of 
never  returning  to  it  any  more.  Now, 
how  is  it  likely,  that  the  relapsing  sin- 
ner detests  sincerely  his  sin  above  all 
evils,  with  a  firm  purpose  of  amend- 
ment, when  he  is  so  easily  prevailed 
upon  by  the  first  texnptation  to  return 
to  it  again. 

Consider,  ffthly,  the  remedies  and 
means,  by  which  we  are  to  be  pre- 
served from  this  pernicious  evil  of  re- 
lapsing into  mortal  sin.  The  first  is, 
to  avoid  the  dangerous  occasions  w'.  .?h 
have,  or  probably  may,  draw  us  into 
the  same  sins:  without  this  care  io  iiy 
the  occasions  of  sin,  the  strongest  reso- 
lution of  amendment  will  prove  inef- 
U  tnal,  as  we  daily  see  by  woful  expe- 

pins.\  ^ 

put 


merein,  .iccl.  lii.    No  pret 
of  woildly  concerns  must  here  be 


ON  T!IE   RELAPSING   SINNER.         117 

,r\T>  f ''  °,''  ^y°'  ^°°n°'-  than  lose 
•r.souls  Another  main  preservative 
"gainst  relapse,  is  to  labour  by  fervent 
prayer,  and  diligent  frequenting  of  the 
sacraments,  to  suppress  the  u°nhappy 
dispos-Uons  that  insensibly  lead  thc^,^^ 
unto:  vigorously  to  resist  the  first  mo- 

.ons  to  evil,,  and  to  strive  with  a"  po^ 
sible  dil  2cnce  to  root  out  that  wretched 

hard  tu       "'^  !"  '^^  ■'°"'-    Ah!  how 
laid  is  It  to  mamtam  a  castle,  where 

the  enemy  has  already  surprised   th^ 

avenues,  and  has  a  strong  pa  ty  witWn 

ready  to  open  the  gates  to  him!    The' 

n  hT  I      P^""°"'  '°  """"sh  carefully 
in  his  heart  a  truly  penitential  spirit^ 
J-^'ly  to  renew  his  sorrow  for  his  sins 
and  to  recount  in  the  sight  of  God  "n 

ntuit  'err,'''  ""'''  "'^'  ^»  hi;  Pa^^ 
Which  he  has  been  drawn  out  of  so 


118 


ON  DOING   PENANCE 


much  misery;  daily  to  beg  of  God  with 
all  the  fervour  of  his  soul,  sooner  to 
take  him  out  of  this  world,  than  suffer 
him  any  more  to  die  by  mor  al  sin. 
Good  God !  grant  that  this  may  be  al- 
ways the  disposition  of  our  souls.  Amen. 
Amen, 


TWENTY-FIRST  DAY. 

ON   DOING    PENANCE   FOR  OUR   SINS. 

CoNsiDER,/r5/,  those  words  of  Christ, 
^uke  xiii.  3,  5.    Except  ye  do  penance, 
ye  shall  all  perish    Behold  here  a  ge- 
neral rule,  nor  does  our  Lord   make 
any  exception.     Penance  then  is  neces- 
sary: first,  for  those  whose  conscience 
accuses  them  of  mortal  sin:,  alas!  such 
as  these  must  either  do  penance  for 
their  sms,  or  burn   for   them  for  all 
eternity!     Poor  sinners!  their  state  is 
most  deplorable!  they  are  playing  upon 
the  brmk  of  hell,  and  every  moment 
one  or  other  of  them  is  tumbling  into 
that  bottomless  pit;  and  is  it  possible 
they  should  be  unconcerned  under  so 


r 


\ 


^'.it 


FOR   OUR   SINS. 


110 


God  with 
sooner  to 
an  suffer 
)r  al  sin. 
ly  be  al- 
ls. Amen, 


SINS. 

•f  Christ, 
penance^ 
n-e  a  ge- 
d   make 
is  neces- 
nscience 
is!  such 
nee  for 
for  all 
state  is 
ng  upon 
moment 
ng  into 
possible 
ader  so 


f 


y 


great  and  evident  a  danger  ?    Why  then 
do  they  not  lay  hold  of  the  grace  of 
penance,  the  only  plank  that  can  save 
hem  from  shipwreck;  the  only  means 
left  for  the   salvation   of  their  souls. 
b,econdly  Penance  is  necessary  for  all 
those  who,  though  their  conscience  ac- 
cuses them  not  at  present,  yet  have,  in 
heir  past  life,  been  guilty  of  such  mor- 
ta    offences.     Ah!  Christians,  one  mor- 
tal sm  IS  enough  for  us  to  do  penance 
during  all  our  life.     And  how  can  we 
do  less,  if  we  consider  what  mortal  sin 
is;  what  It  IS  to  have  been  the  enemies 
ot  God;  what  it  i?  .o  have  been  under 
the  sentence  of  eterivil  damnation;  and 
never  to  know  for  certain  whether  this 
sentence   has   been  cancelled!    Is  not 

tKn1?^"p'  *°  oblige  us  to  a  peniten- 
tial hie?  Can  we  otherwise  pretend  to 
be  secure?  Even  these  (and  God  best 
knows  how  few  they  are)  who  are  not 
conscious  to  themselves  of  having  com- 
mitted such  a  sin  in  their  whoiR  i;c. 
time,  muse  not  therefore  think  theii 
selves  exempt  from  the  obligation  of 
doing  penance;  as  well  because  of  their 


120 


ON   DOING  PENANCE 


I 


own  hidden  sins,  as  of  those  which  they 
may  have  occasioned  in  others;  for  no 
man  knows  whether  he  be  worthy  of  love 
or  haired,  Eccl.  viii.  9.  as  also,  because 
a  penitential  life  is  the  best  security 
against  sin,  which  will  insensibly  pre- 
vail over  us,  if  not  curbed  by  self-denial, 
mortification,  and  penance. 

Consider,  secondly,  that  as  in  the  me- 
thod of  penance,  different  rules  must  be 
prescribed  to  different   persons:  those 
who  have  the  misfortune  to  be  actually 
in  the  state  of  mortal  sin,  or,  what  is 
still  more  deplorable,  are  plunged  in 
the  depth  of  a  habit  of  one  or  more 
kinds  of  mortal  i^ns,  as  soon  as  their 
eyes  are  opened  to  discover  the  hel- 
lish monster  which   they  carry  aboul 
with  them,  must,  like  the  prodigal  child, 
arise  without  delay,  and  return  to  their 
Father.     A  sacrifice  of  a  contrite  and 
humble  heart  is  what  God,  above  all 
things,  requires   at   their   hands;  this 
ought  to  be  the  sole  foundation  of  their 
penance:  without  this,  corporal  auste- 
rities will  be  of  small  account.    Such 
sinners  ought  to  allow  themselves  no 


'^-.. 


FOR   OXTR   SINS. 


121 


ch  they 
for  no 
of  love 
because 
ecurity 
>ly  pre- 
-denial, 

the  me- 
nust  be 
:  those 
ctually 
vhat  is 
ged  in 
r  more 
s  their 
le  hel- 

aboul 
I  child, 
0  their 
te  and 
»ve  all 
;;  this 
f  their 
auste- 

Such 
^es  no 


respite:  till  they  have  made  their  peace 
with  God,  their  sins  ought  to  be  always 
before  their  eyes.  Their  first  thoughts 
in  the  morning  ought  to  be  upon  their 
misfortune,  in  beiag  at  so  great  a  dis- 
tance from  God,  enslaved  by  the  devil, 
and  liable  to  be  his  companions  in  eter- 
nal misery:  the  like  ought  to  be  their 
last  thoughts  at  night';  when,  like  the 
penitent  David,  they  ought  to  wash 
their  beds  with  their  tears.  As  often 
as  they  appear  before  their  God  in 
prayer,  it  ought  to  be  in  the  spirit  of 
the  humble  publican,  looking  upon  them- 
selves as  unworthy  to  lift  up  their  eyes 
to  heaven,  or  towards  the  altar  of  God ; 
and  with,  him,  striking  their  breasts, 
with  a  Lord  he  merciful  to  me  a  sinner. 
Thus  will  they  certainly  obtain  mercy 
from  him,  who  is  the  Father  of  mercy. 
Consider,  thirdly,  that  after  the  sin- 
ner has  done  his  best  endeavours  to 
seek  a  reconciliation  with  his  offended 
God,  by  a  sincere  repentance  and  con- 
fession of  his  sins,  he  must  not  think 
himself  exempt  from  any  further  pen- 
ance, as  if  he  had  now  no  just  debt  to 


122 

disch 


ON   DOmo  PENANCB 


:arge  to  the  justice  of  God;  nor  ob- 
iigation  of  making  satisfaction  for  his 
fr  .^y,r»;'«?'ial  works,  or  of  bring- 

Jrror°N     ^  ""  ^?^'  ^"•^  dangerous 
eiro,      Nor  must  he  content  h!mself 

with  barely  acquitting  himself  of  tho 
penancaenjoined  by  his  confessor,  which 
IS,  It  IS  to  be  feared,  seldom  sufficient  to 
satisfy  the  justice  of  God.    Alas !  if  sin- 
ners were  truly  sensible  of  the  enor- 
mous injury  done  to  God  by  mortal  sin, 
as  true  penitents  must  be,  they  would 
certainly  do  penance  in  another  man- 
ner, than  -too  many  do;  they  would  be 
more  in  earnest  in  chastising  their  sin- 
tul  flesh  by  penitential  works,  and  thus 
making  a  rnore  proportionable  satisfac- 
tion lor  their  past  treasons. 

Consider  fourthly,  that  the  true 
manner  of  doiug  penance  for  our  sins, 
IS  better  learnt  from  the  holy  fathers 
and  doctors  of  the  church,  than  from 
the  loose  maxims  of  worldlings,  or  the 
_,,.^.^  ^t  ^^^  inany  penitents  in  this 
degenerate  age.  Let  us  give  ear  then 
to  those  lights  of  the  church,  and  fol- 


FOB  OUR   SINS. 


123 


nor  ob- 
for  his 
*  bring- 
enance; 
igerous 
limself 
of  tho 
,  which 
;ient  to 
II  sm- 
5  enor- 
tal  sin, 
would 
'  man- 
M  be 
ir  sin- 
d  thus 
tisfac- 

true 
r  sins, 
ithers 

from 
r  the 
I  this 

then 
i  fol- 


low  their  direction  on  this  important 
subject.  "  God  himself  has  taught  us," 
says  St.  Cyprian,  (L.  de  Lapsis)  "in 
what  manner  we  are  to  crave  mercy 
of  him.  He  himself  says.  Return  to 
me  with  your  whole  heart,  in  fasting,  and 
weeping,  and  mourning,  Joel  ii.  Let  us 
then  return  to  the  Lord  with  our  whole 
heart;  let  us  appease  his  wrath  by  fast- 
ing, weeping,  and  mourning,  as  he  ad- 
monishes us. — Let  the  greatness  of  our 
grief  equal  the  heinousness  of  our  sins. 
— We  must  pray  earnestly,  we  must 
pass  the  day  in  mourning,  and  the  night 
in  watching  and  weeping,  spending  all 
our  time  in  penitential  tears.  Our 
lodging  should  be  on  the  floor  strewed 
with  ashes;  our  covering  haircloth,  &c. 
After  having  cast  off  the  garment  of 
Christ,  we  should  not  now  seek  any 
(worldly)  cloathing. — We  must  employ 
ourselves  now  i:i  good  works,  by  which 
our  sins  may  be  purged  away.  We 
must  give  frequent  alms,#by  which  our 
souls  may  be  delivered  from  death." 
>rian.    With  whom 


Cyp] 


^gJ 


St.  Pacian;  in  his  exhortation  to  pea- 


124  ON   DOING   PENANCE, 

ance:«Ifanyone  call  you  to  a  bath, 
you  must   renounce  all   such  delighls. 
If  any  one  invite  you  to  a  banquet,  you 
must  say,  such  invitations  are  for  those 
that  have  not  had  the  misfortune  to  lose 
their  God:   but  I  have  sinned  against 
he  Lord,  and  am  in  danger  of  nlrish- 
jng  eternally.     What  have  I  to  dl,  with 
ftasts,   that    have   offended   my   God? 
you  must  make  your  coprt  to  the  poorj 
you  must  beg  the  prayers  of  widows 
you  must  cast  yourself  at  the  feet  of 
the  priests;  you  must  implore  the  inter- 
cession of  the  church;  you  must  try  all 
means,  which  may  prevent  your  per- 
ishmg  everlastingly."     And    St.   Am- 
brose, in  his  second -book  of  penance, 
chap.x      "Can  anyone  imagine  that 
he  IS  doing  penance,  whilst  he  is  in- 
dulging his  ambition  in  the  pursuit  of 
honours,  whilst  he  is  swallowing  wine, 
&c.    The  true  penitent  must  renounce 
the  world;  must  abridge  even  the  nc- 

^r'J  *™t  *'■  '^'^P'"  """^t  interrupt  it 

With    hl«  ein-ho     «v.J   _,-i  -•.      1  .  .^^ 

"o^^'^y  ^""  cui  u  snort  with  his 

prayers."    And  e    ^ 


Horn. 


-"    .c  A  Csesarius  of  Aries, 

viii.  «As  often  as  we  visit  the 


FOB  OUR   SINS. 


125 


a  bath, 
elighle. 
let,  you 
>r  those 
!  to  lose 
against 
perish- 
io  with 
God? 
3  poor; 
idows; 
'eet  of 
I  inter- 
try  all 
r  per- 
.   Am- 
lance, 
3  that 
is  in- 
uit  of 
wine, 
ounce 
le  ne- 
upt  it 
h  his 
i^rles, 
t  the 


sick,  or  those  that  are  in  prison,  or 
reconcile  together  those  that  are  at 
variance  with  each  other;  as  often  as 
we  fast  on  days  commanded  by  the 
church — give  alms  to  the  poor  that 
pass  by  our  door,  &c.  by  these,  and 
such  like  works,  our  small  sins  are 
daily  redeemed.  But  this  alone  is  not 
enough  for  capital  crimes;  we  must  add 
tears,  lamentations,  and  long  fasts;  and 
give  alms  to  the  utmost  of  our  power." 
Thus,  as  the  same  saint  tells  us,  Horn, 
i.  "By  present  mortification  will  be 
prevented  the  future  sentence  of  eter- 
nal death:  thus,  by  humbling  the  guilty, 
will  the  guilt  be  consumed:  and  by 
this  voluntary  severity,  the  wrath  of 
a  dreadful  Judge  will  be  appeased.—* 
These  short  penitential  labours  will  pay 
off  those  vast  debts,  which  otherwise 
everlasting  burning  will  never  be  able 
to  discharge."  Christians!  let  us  fol- 
low in  practice  these  excellent  guides. 


i 


126  AGAINST  DELAY 


TWENTY-SECOND  DAY. 

AGAINST  DELAY  OF  REPENTANCE. 

Consider, /r5^,  that  of  all  the  deceits 
by  which  Satan  deludes  sinners  to  their 
eternal  ruin,  there  is  none  greater  or 
more  dangerous  than  when  he  per- 
suades them  to  put  off  their  repentance 
and  conversion  from  time  to  time,  till 
no  more  time  remains  for  repentance. 
Alas!  thousands,  nay  millions  of  poor 
souls  have  been  thus  betrayed  into  ever- 
lasting flames,  who  never  designed  to 
damn  themselves  by  dying  in  sin,  any 
more  than  we  do  at  present.  But,  by 
putting  off  their  conversion,  they  have, 
by  a  just  judgment  of  God,  been  at  last 
surprised  by  death,  when  they  least  ex- 
pected it;  and  by  dying  as  they  lived, 
have  been  justly  sentenced  to  that  se- 
cond and  everlasting  death.  Unhappy 
wretches !  who  would  not  believe  their 

to  watch;  and  declares  in  the  gospel, 
that  other ^e  he  shall  come  at  a  time 
when  they  least  expect  him.    Ah!  how 


OF  KEPENTANCE,  '  127 

dreadful  and  how  common  are  these 
unprovided  deaths!  ^ 

Consider  secoridly,  the  great  pre- 
sumption of  sinners,  who  put  off  thefr 
reconchat  on  with  an  offended  God  ,m 
another  t.me,  shutting  their  ears  to 
his  voice,  by  which  he  calls  thm^  at 
rr''T^  '^fusing  him  entrance  in- 

self  thVv  '^.^^  ""hdraw   him- 

self, they  are  undone  for  ever-  how 

iTeS  'T  r '  ""^  -'"so  m'u^ch 
contempt?  Is  it  not  an  infinite  good- 
ness a„d  inexpressible  condescerision 
n  this  sovereign  Majesty,  to  call  after 
them,  whilst   they  are   running   from 

without  any  interest  on  his  side,  to  re- 
turn to  him  who  is  their  only  good 

ouitT"'  ''^PPi"«««?    What  then 
ought  they  not  to  apprehend  from  his 

li Trf '  'V^^y  e'^""«'«'"y  «"d  insolent! 
ly  refuse  to  embrace  his  mercy?  How 
dare  they  m-etend  to  H,,,„„„„  J.,..  " 
tn  nr^rva  "„'  "~  " '  'r'*i'"='°  "»  "lu  lime 
to  come,  or  promise  themselves  greater 
graces  hereafter  than  those  wWch  they 
now  abuse;-    Do  they  not  kffow  tha^ 


,«**" 


\  . 


128 


AGAINST  DELAY 


m 


God  alone  is  master  of  time  and  gm«>, 
and  that  by  his  just  Pigment;  those 
^ho  presume  to  tempthim  m  this  man 
ner.  generally  speaking,  die  in  their 
sfns?    Ahl  it  is  too  true,  that  he  who 
has  promised  pavdon  to  ^^e  -nn"  tha^ 
is  sincerely  converted,  has  neither  prc^ 
mised  time  nor  efficacious  grace  to  those 
who  defer  their  conversion. 

CoNSiDEK,  tldrdly,  the  great  folly  ol 
sinners,  who  put  off  their  conversion  to 
God  til  another  time,  upon  pretence  of 
do°ng      more  easily  hereafter:  where- 
Sth  reason  ""d  experience  make  it 
evident,  that  the  longer  they  defer  ths 
work,  the  more  difficulties  they  meet  to 
rmpass  it.    And  how  can  U  be  other- 
S  since  by  this  delay,  and  by  add- 
ins  daily  sin  to  sin,  their  sinful  habits 
lather  suength;  the  devil's  power  over 
fhfm  increases,'  and  God,  who  is  dmly 
more  and  more  provoked,  >s  ^7  Jg-^l^ 
less  liberal  of  his  graces,  so  that  they 
vl4»  l.««  freouent  and  pressing;  till 
.  rrengthrby  accustoming  themselves 
to  resist  his  grace,  they  fall  mto  the 
wretehed  stall  of  blindness  and  hard- 


id  grace, 
nt,  those 
this  man- 
in  their 
,t  he  who 
inner  that 
ither  pro- 
:e  to  those 

1  folly  of 
iversion  to 
retence  of 
jr:  where- 
^ce  make  it 
r  defer  this 
ey  meet  to 
X  be  other- 
nd  by  add- 
nful  habits 
power  over 
ho  is  daily 

by  degrees 
o  that  they 
ressing;  till 

themselves 
'all  into  the 
3  and  hard- 


OF   REPENTANCE. 


129 


to 


ness  of  heart,  the  broad  roc 
impenitence! 

Consider,  fourthly,  the  unparallel.  d 
madness  of  those  who  defer  their  con- 
version  upon  the  confidence  of  a  death- 

nnnnT"'^^"""'  ^^^^g^"^^  tO  put  a  chcat 

upon  the  justice  of  God,  by  indulging 
themselves  in  sin  all   their   life-irme; 
and  then  making  their  peace  with  God 
when  they  can  sin  no  longer.     Unhap- 
py  wretches!  consider  that  God  is  not 
to  be  mocked:  that  what  a  man  soweth, 
the  same  shall  he  reap,  Gal.  vi.  6.     The 
general  rule  is,  that  as  a  man  lives,  so 
he  dies:  a  rule  so  general,  that  in  the 
whole  scripture  we  have  but  one  exam^ 
^f^f/,  person  who  died  well  after  a 
wicked  life,  VIZ.  the  good  thief;  an  ex- 
ample so  singular  in  all   its  circum- 
stances  as  to  give  no  encouragement  to 
sinners  who  entertain   ^  premeditated 
design  of  cheatmg  the  justice  of  God 
by  a  death-bed  conversion.     Ah!  how 

dreadfiillv   dlf^i^nl*    -    -f    u     ^  "^^ 

,   .     ---;.;    -'-ixiv^uit   ijjuyi,   it   be   ior   a 

dying  sinner,  in  whom  the  habit  of  sin 

IS  by  long  custom  turned  into  a  second 

nature,  to  attain  to  a  thorough  change 


i'ljiiiiiziip*'' 


130 


AGAINST  DELAY,  ETC. 


of  heart,  sincere  sorrow  and  detestation 
of  sin,  love  of  God  above  all   things, 
which  he  never  thought  of  in  his  lite- 
time,  and  which  now  become  indispensa- 
bly necessary.     Ah!  how  deceitful  are 
those  tears,  which  are  often  shed  by 
dying  sinners,  (as  may  be  seen  in  the 
case  of  King  Antiochus,)  who,  being 
wholly  influenced  by  the  fear  of  death, 
prevail  not  with  the  just  Judge.     And 
if  there  be  so  much  danger,  even  when 
tears  are  plentifully  shed,  what  must 
there  be,  when,  as  it  commonly  hap- 
pens, either  the  dullness  and  stupidity 
caused  by  the  sickness,  or   the  pains 
,and  agonies  of  the  body  and  mmd,  are 
so  great,  as  to  hinder  any  serious  appli- 
cation of  our  thoughts  to  the  greatest 
of  all  concerns?    For  if  a  head-achebe 
enough  to  hinder  us  from  being  able  to 
pray  with  devotion,  what  an  obstacle  to 
prayer  must  not  the  agonies  of  death 
•be?     No  wonder  then,  that  the  saints 

ana  servants  ui  v^uu  mtxi-^^-  .^^^  

count  of  those  death-bed  performarices; 
especially  since,  as  we  see  by  daily 
experience,  that  those  who  made  the 


1 


!  testation 
I  things, 
his  life- 
dispensa- 
iitful  are 
shed  by 
m  in  the 
10,  being 
of  death, 
ge.     And 
ven  when 
hat  must 
Dnly  hap- 
stupidity 
the  pains 
mind,  are 
LOUS  appU- 
B  greatest 
;ad-achebe 
ng  able  to 
obstacle  to 
3  of  death 
the  saints 

r.    liftlft  no.' 

"ormances ; 

by  daily 

made  the 


ON  TIME  AND  ETERNITY.  131 

greatest  show  of  repentance,  when  thev 
were  uj  danger  of  death,  n^  sooner  es^ 
^ped  that  danger,  but  are  still  the  same 

hZsnJT'^u'^""'-  O  Christians! 
le  us  not  then  be  imposed  upon  by  the 
false  and  flattering  discoursis  of  men! 
who  are  so  free  in  pronouncing  favour- 
ably of  all  those,  w'ho  after  a  life  spl't 
a^  Z'-  """^^^^T  show  of  repentince 

a    tie    ,fr\.^''  "'  rather' tremble 
at  the  deplorable  case  of  such  souls- 

and  remember  that  the  judgments  of  God 
are  very  different  from^  those  of  men 


TWENTY-THIRD  DAY. 

ON    TIME   AND   ETERNITY. 

tim^Ts' wv'  if'*''  ^°''  P''^°'°"«  ^  thing 
away  as  if  u  were  of  no  value.     Time 

^Jt  [T  ?^.  °"''/""'=>  so  much  of  our 
"-  „  aosoiuteiy  lost.    Time  is  given 

*e  1  °      .'"°'"f "'  °f  '™«'  in  which 


We 


may  not  work  for  eternity,  and 


IL 


138  ON  TIItE  AND  ETERNITY. 

Which  we  may  not  store  "P  i™*" 
and  everlasting  treasures.    As  many 
therefore  as  we  lose  of  these  precious 
moments,  are  so  many  lost  eternities. 
The  present  is  the  only  time  of  work- 
ing: It  is  the  only  time  we  can  call  our 
own,  and  God  only  knows  how  long  it 
will  last.    It  is  short;  it  flies  away  in 
an  instant;  and  when  once  it  is  gone,  it 
cannot  be  recalled;  the  very  momen   in 
which  we  are  reading  this  line,  is  just 
passing,  never,  no  never  more  to  re- 
turn.    Every  hour  is  posting  away, 
without  stopping  one  moment,  till  it  De 
swallowed  up  in  the  immense  gull  ol 
eternity:  and  as  many  of  these  hours 
or  moments  as  are  lost,  are  lost  toi 
ever;  the  loss  is  irreparable,    l-earn 
hence,  0  my  soul  I  to  set  a  just  value 
upon  the  present  time;  learn  to  husband 
it  well,  by  employing  it  in  good  works. 
Consider,  seco7My,  Christian   soul! 
what  thy  thoughts  will  be.  ^^t  „the  ap- 
proach of  death,  ol  tne  vmue  vt  t,...,., 
which  thou  makest  so  little  account  ot 
at  present.    What  wouldst    thou   not 
then  give  for  some  of  those  hours  which 


f 


ON  TIME  AND  ETERNITY. 


133 


immense 
As  many 
5  precious 
eternities. 
}  of  work- 
m  call  our 
ow  long  it 
3s  away  in 

is  gone,  it 
moment  in 
ine,  is  just 
lore  to  re- 
Ling  away, 
It,  till  it  be 
ise  gulf  of 
;hese  hours 
re  lost  for 
ble.     Learn 
L  just  value 
i  to  husband 
good  works, 
istian    soul! 
I,  at  the  ap- 

1..«.     r\C    4-iinno 

e  account  of 
it  thou  not 
hours  which 


thou  now  losest  in  vanity  and  sin  ?     Ah ! 
the  dreadful  anguish  that  will  rack  the 
soul  of  the  dying  sinner,  when  seeing 
himself  at  the  brink  of  a  miserable  eter- 
nity, he  shall  wish  a  thousand  times,  but 
,       m  vain,  that  he  could  recall  one  day,  or 
i        even  one  hour  of  his  past  time,  and  had 
but  the  same  health  and  strength  as  he 
formerly  had,  to  employ  it  in  the  love 
of  God,  and  sincere  repentance  for  his 
sms.     Ah!   worldlings,   why   are   you 
then  so  blind  as  not  to  see,  that  any  one 
of  these  hours,  which  you  daily  squan- 
der away,  is  indeed  more  valuable  than 
ten  thousand  worlds. 

Consider,  thirdli/,  what  will  be  the 
sentiments  of  the  damned  of  the  value 
of  time,  when  time  shall  be  no  more: 
how  bitterly  will  they  regret  during 
eternity,  all  those  hours,  days,  months, 
and  years,  which  were  allowed  them 
by  the  bounty  of  their 'Creator,  during 
the  space  of  this  mortal  life;  by  the  due 
employment  of  which,  thev  misht  have 
prevented  that  misery,  to  whu^h  they 
are  new  irrevocably  condemned;  and 
might  have  made  themselves  eternally 


r^v:33g£-~.tESSa^S53i(jfc!cg=eri!a!a..'.''.'  ".'  W"!™ 


r    1^' 


s  < 


.  !> 
1! 


: 


ill  I; 


!^ 


134 


ON  TIME  AND  ETERNITY. 


and  infinitely  happy;  but,  alas!  they 
would  not  work  whilst  the  time  was, 
whilst  they  had  the  day-light  before 
them:  the  night,  the  dismal  and  eternal 
night  is  now  come,  in  which  it  is  too 
late  to  work;  and  during  which,  they 
shall  eternally  condemn  their  past  folly 
and  madness,  in  neglecting  and  abusing 
their   precious   time.     Ahl  Christians, 
let  us  be  wise  at  their  expence.     But 
what  do  you  think  will  be  the  senti- 
ments of  the  blessed  in  heaven  of  this 
precious  time?     Truly,  if  it  were  pos- 
sible, and   if  their  happy  state  could 
admit  of  such  a  thing  as  grief,  there  is 
nothing  tho^e  blessed  souls  would  re- 
gret more  than  the  loss  of  those  mo- 
ments, which  in  their  life-time  had  not 
been  well  husbanded :  when  they  shall 
clearly  see,  in  the  light  of  God,  what 
an  immense  increase  of  glory  and  hap- 
piness they  might  have  acquired,  by 
the  due  employment  of  those  precious 
moments. 

Co^swER^  fourthly,  that  as  all  time  is 
short,  and  passes  quickly  away,  so  all 
temporal  enjoyments,  honours,  riches, 


■ 


ON  TIME  AND  ETERNITY. 


135 


i!  they 
le  was, 
before 
eternal 
t  is  too 
h,  they 
tst  folly 
abusing 
L'istians, 
e.    But 
e  senti- 
L  of  this 
ere  pos- 
e  could 
there  is 
auld  re- 
ose  mo- 
had  not 
ey  shall 
3d,  what 
ind  hap- 
ired,  by 
precious 

il  time  is 
y,  so  all 
,  riches, 


■ 


and   pleasures  of  this   world,  are  all 
transitory,  uncertain,   and   inconstant. 
Only  eternity,  and  the  goods  or  evils 
which   it   comprises,  are   truly  great, 
as  being  without  end,  without  change, 
without  comparison;   admitting   of  no 
mixture  of  evil  in  its  goods,  nor  any 
alloy  of  comfort  in  its  evils.     O!  the 
vanity  of  all  temporal  grandeur,  which 
must  soon  be  buried  in  the  coffin.     O! 
how   quickly   does   the   glory   of  this 
world   pass  away?  a  few  short  years 
are  more  than  any  one  can  promise 
himself:   and  after  that,  poor  sinner, 
what  will  become  of  thee?     Alas!  the 
worms  will   prey  upon  thy  body,  and 
merciless    devils   on    thy   unrepenting 
soul.     Thy  worldly  friends  will  forget 
thee;  the  very  stones,  on  which  thou 
hast  got  thy'  name  engraved,  will  not 
long  out-live  thee.     0!  how  true  is  that 
sentence,  Vanity  of  vanities,  and  all  is 
vanity:  but  to  love  God,  and  to  serve 
him  alone?     Tf   is  thn«  nnlv  w<i  oVioii 

be  wise  for  eternity;  all  other  wisdom 
is  but  folly. 


ili'BtTn"W-Mm»iiiUMHr~T~ 


136  ON  THE  PEESENCE  OF  GOD. 

TWENTY-FOUETH  DAY. 

ON   THE   PRESENCE   OF   GOD. 

Consider,  first,  that  God  is  every 
where  present.  If  I  ascend  into  heav- 
en, says  the  Psalmist,  Ps.  exxx.  8.  thou 
art  there;  if  I  descend  into  hell,  thou  art 
there.  He  fills  both  heaven  and  earth : 
and  there  is  no  created  thing  whatso- 
ever, in  which  he  is  not  truly  and  per- 
fectly present.  In  him  we  live,  in  him 
we  move;  our  very  being  is  in  him. 
As  the  birds,  wherever  they  fly,  meet 
with  the  air,  which  encompasses  them 
on  all  sides;  and  as  the  fishes  swimming 
in  the  ocean,  every  where  meet  with 
the  waters;  so  we,  wherever  we  are,  or 
wherever  we  go,  meet  with  God;  we 
have  him  always  with  us;  he  is  more 
intimately  present  to  our  souls,  than 
our  souls  are  to  our  bodies.  Alas!  my 
poor  soul,  how  little  have  we  thought 
of  this?  And  yet  it  is  an  article  of  our 
faith,  in  which  we  have  been  instructed 
from  our  very  cradle.  Let  us  seriously 
reflect  on  this  truth  for  the  future :  let 


? 


ON  THE  PRESENCE  OF  GOD.  137 


{. 


every 

0  heav- 
9.  thou 
hou  art 

earth: 
vhatso- 
[id  per- 
il! him 

1  him. 
,  meet 
3  them 
mmirig 
t  with 
are,  or 
Dd;  we 
3  more 
3,  than 
IS  I  my 
hought 
of  our 
tructed 
riously 
re:  let 


us  strive  to  be  always  with  him,  who  is 
always  with  us. 

Consider,  secondly,  that  God  being 
every  where,  sees  us  wherever  we  are; 
all  our  actions  are  done  in  his  sight; 
our  very  thoughts,  even  the  most  secret 
motions  and  dispositions  of  our  hearts, 
cannot  be  concealed  from  his  all-seeing 
eye.     In  vain   does  the  sinner  flatter 
himself  in  his  crimes,  saying,  like  the 
libertine  mentioned  by  the  wise  man, 
Eccl.  xxiii.  that  darkness  encompasses 
him,  and  walls  cover  him,  and  no  one 
sees  him  whom  he  fears.     Alas !  the  eyes 
of  the  Lord  are  infinitely  brighter  than 
the  rays  of  the  sun;  and  no  darkness, 
clouds,  walls,  or  curtains,  can  screen  us 
from   his  piercing  sight,  which  pene- 
trating clearly,  sees  the  very  centre  of 
the  soul;  and  no  wonder  that  he  shouk 
clearly  see  wliat  passes  in  the  place 
where  he  is  always  present. 

Consider,  thirdly,  that  God,  who  is 
in  all  places,  and  in  all  things,  is  every 
where  whole  and  entire,  because  he  is 
indivisible;  he  is  every  where  with  all 
his  majesty,  attributes,  and  perfections. 


138 


ON  THE  PRESENCE  OF  GOD. 


We  have  then  within  us,  O  my  soul! 
the  eternal,  immense,  omnipotent,  self- 
existent,  infinite  Lord  and  Maker  of 
all  things;  and  we  are  with  this  infinite 
Being,  who  accompanies  us  wherever 
we  go.  He  is  in  all  places  by  his 
omnipotence,  to  which  all  things  are 
subject;  what  then  have  his  friends  to 
fear?  He  is  every  where  with  his  in- 
finite justice ;  how  then  can  his  enemies 
be  secure?  He  is  every  where  infinite- 
ly good  to  his  children;  his  love  and 
kindness  to  them  surpasses  that  of  the 
most  tender  mother;  his  providence 
watches  over  them,  his  wisdom  won- 
derfully disposes  of  all  things  for  their 
greater  good:  01  what  comfort  then, 
must  this  thought  of  the  presence  of 
God  afford  his  servants,  and  those  that 
truly  fear  and  love  him. 

Consider,  fourthly,  that  God  existing 
in  all  places,  requires  of  us  that  we 
should  every  where  take  notice  of  his 
presence.  Can  there  be  any  object  more 
vrxjiiiiy  .ji  uuuuLiuiii  ciiiu  shaii  wc  UieH 
be  so  unfortunately  blind,  as  to  amuse 
ourselves  with  every  trifle  that  falls  in 


ny  soul! 
ent,  self- 
aker  of 
3  infinite 
wherever 
by  his 
ingo  are 
riends  to 
1  his  in- 
enemies 
infinite- 
ove  and 
t  of  the 
Dvidence 
•m  won- 
br  their 
rt  then, 
ence  of 
ose  that 

existing 
that  we 
e  of  his 
ict  more 
we  tiieu 
)  amuse 
falls  in 


f 


on  THE  PRESENCE  OF  GOD.  139 

our  way,  and  let  God,  the  sovereign 
beauty  and  sovereign  good,  pass  unre- 
garded? Ah!  let  us  never  regret  being 
alone,  since  we  have  always  in  our 
company  that  infinite  Being,  the  sight 
and  enjoyment  of  whom  is  the  eternal 
felicity  of  angels.  What  if  we  see  him 
not  with  our  corporal  eyes,  is  he  the 
less  present?  But  have  we  not  more 
noble  eyes,  viz.  the  eyes  of  the  under- 
standing, which,  assisted  by  divine  faith, 
ought  to  contemplate  God,  always  pre- 
sent in  the  very  midst  of  us?  Ah!  the 
sweetest  repose  is  to  be  found  in  him; 
all  other  recreations  are  vain,  when 
compared  to  this. 

Consider,  ffthJy,  that  God  being 
every  where  present,  it  is  requisite 
that  we  should  comport  ourselves,  in- 
teriorly and  exteriorly,  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  becomes  those  who  are  standing 
in  his  sight.  The  presence  of  a  per- 
son, for  whom  we  have  a  respect,  is 
sufficient  to  restrain  us  from  doing  any 
thing  trivial  or  indecent:  and  shall  not 
the  presence  of  the  infinite  majesty  of 
God,   in  comparison   with   whom    the   ' 


140 


ON  THE  PRESENCE  0^  GOD. 


greatest  monarchs  of  the  earth  are  less 
than  nothing,  restram  us  ir.  that  exterior 
modesty  and  interior  reverence  which 
are  so  justly  his  due?    Ought  we  not 
even  to  annihilate  ourselves  in  the  sight 
of  this  immense  Divinity?     But,  O  my 
God!  how  far  are  we  from  these  dis- 
positions, as  often  as  we  dare  to  sin  in 
thy  almighty  presence,  and  fly  in  the 
face  of  thy  sovereign  Majesty?     Alas! 
my  poor  soul,  how  much  should  we  be 
ashamed  to  have   our  sins  known  to 
such  persons,  whose  esteem  we  covet? 
we  would  be  ready  even  to  die  with 
confusion,  to  have  them  known  to  the 
whole  world.     We  would  be  very  un- 
willing to  have  our  vain  and  ridiculous 
amusements,   though    otherwise    inno- 
cent, laid  open  to  the  eyes  of  our  neigh 
hours:  and  why  will  we  not  consider 
the  all-seeing  eye  of  our  great  God, 
which  is   always   fixed   upon   us,  and 
clearly  discerns  all  that  passes  in  the 
most  secret  closet  of  our  heart?     Why 

T- .ix  iTv  iiwt  iv>iit;v/.L  LiiaL  uuruVii   HiOUgntS 

being  known  to  God,  is  indeed  a  greater 
shame,  a  greater  loss  of  our  true  hon- 


ON  THE  PRESENCE  OF  GOD. 


Ul 


our,  than  if  they  were  published  by 
sound  of  trumpet  over  the  universe. 

Consider,  sixthly^  that  God  being 
every  where  present,  every  where  re- 
quires our  love:  he  is  every  where 
infinitely  amiable,  beautiful,  good,  per- 
fect, and  at  all  times  and  in  every 
place,  infinitely  good  to  us.  Why  then 
do  we  not  love  him,  who  is  all  love? 
Deus  charitas  est,  says  St.  John,  chap, 
iv.  God  is  love.  We  have  this  loving 
and  most  lovely  God  continually  with 
us  and  within  us;  why  do  we  not  run 
to  his  embraces?  He  is  a  fire  that  ever 
burns  in  the  very  centre  of  our  souls; 
how  then  comes  it  to  pass  that  we  feel 
so  little  of  its  flames?  It  is  because  we 
do  not  approach  it.  It  is  because  we 
will  not  restrain  our  thoughts  at  home, 
attentive  to  that  great  guest  who  resides 
within  us,  but  suffer  tbem  continually  to 
wander  abroad  upon  vain  created  amuse- 
ments. O!  convertere,  anima  mea,  in 
reouiem  tuam.  Ps.  cxliv.  Turn  awav. 
my  soul,  from  all  these  worldly  toys, 
which  keep  thee  at  a  distance  from  thy 
God;  return  then  to  him  who  is  thy 


142        ON  THE  PASSION  OF  CHRIST. 

true  and  only  happiness,  for  in  him 
only  thou  wilt  find  everlasting  repose. 

TWENTY-FIFTH  DAY. 

ON  THE  PASSION  OF  CHRIST:  AND  FIRST 
ON  OUR  SAVIOUR  IN  THE  GARDEN  OF 
GETHSEMANI. 

Consider,  first,  how  the  Son  of  God, 
(who   came   down    from    heaven,   and 
clothed  himself  with  our  humanity,  in 
order  to  be  our  priest  and  our  victim 
and  to  offer  himself  a  bleeding  sacrifice 
lor  our  sms  to  his  eternal  Father,)  was 
pleased  to  begin  his  passion  by  a  bloodv 
sweat  and  agony  in  the  garden  o{  Geth- 
semani,  the  night    before    his  death. 
Here  having  left  the  rest  of  his  disci- 
pies  at  some  distance,  and  taking  with 
him  Peter,  James,  and  John,  who  be- 
fore  had  been  witnesses  of  his  glorious 
transfiguration  on  mount   Thabor,  he 

begms  to  disclose  to  them  that  mortal 
anormsh     fom.    ^-^a    -,-4  ... 

-  -_,_  ,^,,,^  „,,^  suduess  Winch  on- 
pressed  his  heart.  My  soul,  saith  he, 
IS  sad    even    unto  death,  Matt.  xxvi. 


ON  THE  PASSION  OF  CHRIST.        143 

That   is,  with  a  sadness  which   even 
now  would  strike  me  dead,  if  I  did  not 
preserve  myself,  in  order  to  suffer  still 
more  for  you.     Sweet  Jesus,  what  can 
be  the  meaning   of  this?     Didst   thou 
not    lately    cry   out,   speaking   of  thy 
passion,  and  the  desire  that  thou  hadst 
of  suffering  for  us:    1  have  a  baptism 
loherewith  I  am  to  he  baptized,  and  how 
lam  straitened  till  it  be  accomplished, 
Luke   xii.     Whence    then   comes   this 
present    sadness?     Was   it   not    thou, 
who  hast  given  such  strength  and  cour- 
Tige   to   thy  martyrs,  as  not   even  to 
shrink  under  the  worst  of  torments? 
and  art  thou  thyself  afraid?     But,  O 
dear  Lord,  I  plainly  understand  that  it 
was  by  thy  own  choice,  that  thou  hast 
condescended   to  suffer   thyself  to   be 
seized   with   this   mortal    anguish.     It 
was  for  my  instruction,  and  that  thou 
mightest  suffer  so  much  the  more  for 
my   sake.     I    adore    thee   under    this 
weakness  /'If  T  mnv  Ho  nllr^worl  t^.  /^oii 

it  so)  no  less  than  on  thy  throne  of 
glory;  because  it  is  here  that  I  better 
discover  thy  infinite  love  for  me. 


■  I 

1 

I 


u 


144        ON  THE  i'ASSION  OF  CHRIST. 

Consider,  secondly,  how  our    dear 
baviour,  under   this  anguish  and   sad- 
ness, betakes  himself  to  prayer,  as  the 
only  refuge  under  afflictions,-~the  only 
shield  in  the  day  of  battle.     But  take 
notice  my  soul,  with  what  reverence  he 
prays,  prostrate  on  the  ground,  to  his 
eternal  Father,-  and  with  what  fervour; 
with  a   loud  cry  and   tears,  says   the 
Apostle,  Heh.  v.  7.     Learn  then  to  im- 
itate  him.     In   this  prayer  he  conde- 
scended so  far  as  to  allow  his  inferior 
part  to  petition,  that  the  cup  of  his  bit- 
ter  passion   might    be   removed    from 
nim:  but  then  he  immediately  added- 
yet  not  my  will,  but  thine  he  ^ done-  to' 
teach  us,  under  all  trials  and  crosses,  a 
perfect  submissfon  and  resignation  to 
the  divine  will. 

^  Consider,  thirdly,  how  our  Saviour 
interrupted  twice  his  prayer  to  come 
and  visit  his  disciples,  but  found  them 
both  times  asleep.  Ah!  my  sbul,  and 
IS  it^nm  thy  case  also  to  sleep,  that  is, 
to  iauuige  thyself  in  a  slothful  sensual 
way  of  living?  whereas  the  whole  life 
01  thy  Saviour  was  spent  in  labouring 


[ST. 

our    dear 
and   sad- 
der, as  the 
—the  only 
But  take 
erence  he 
nd,  to  his 
t  fervour; 
says  the 
;n  to  im- 
le  conde- 
5  inferior 
f  his  bit- 
ted   from 
y  added; 
done:  to 
crosses,  a 
lation  to 

Saviour 
to  come 
nd  them 
oul,  and 
,  that  is, 

sensual 
bole  life 
bouring 


•        ON  THE  PASSION  OF  CHRIST.        145 

for  thy  salvation;  and  all  he  then  suf- 
tered,  he  suffered  for  thee.    Ah!  pity 
now  at  least  his  comfortless  condition, 
whilst   on   the   one   hand,  his  Father 
seems  deaf  to  his  prayers;  and  on  the 
other,  his  disciples  are  too  drowsy  to 
attord  him  the  least  attention.    In  this 
desolate  state,  an  angel   from  heaven 
appears  to  comfort  Him,  who  is  the  joy 
ot    angels.     O!    what  humi^'^v*    But 
what  kind  of  comfort,       .,k  you,  did 
this  angel    bring?    N<>  other  but   the 
representing   to  him   the   will   of  his 
eternal  Father,  and  humbly  entreating 
nim,  in  the  name  oi  heaven  and  earth 
not  to  decline   the  imparting  to  poor 
sinners,  by  his  infinite  love,  the  plenti- 
lul  redemption,  for  which  he  came  into 
the  world,  and  to  undergo  the  ignomi- 
nies and  torments  of  one  short  day's 
continuance,  with  the  prospect  of  pro- 
moting  the  salvation  of  mankind,  and 
that  eternal  glory  and  honour  which 
the  Godhead  should 


sufferings.     Let  the  like 


nLs 


of  the  will  of  God,  his 


consideration 
greater  honour 


and  glory,  and  the  good  of  thy 


10 


own 


146        ON  THE  PASSION  OF  CHRIST. 

soul,  comfort  thee  also  under  all  thy 
anguish  and  crosses.  There  can  be  no 
comfort  more  solid.  ' 

ConisiDBK,  fourthly,  the  mortal  agony 
which  our  Saviour  suffered  in  his  soul 
this  night  during  his  prayer.     We  may 
judge  of  his  pains  and  anguish  by  the 
wonderful  effect  they  produced  in  his 
body,  by  casting  him  into  so  prodigious 
a  sweat  of  blood,  as  to  imbue  the  very 
ground  on  which  he  lay  prostrate. — 
Sweet  Jesus!  who  ever  heard  of  such 
an  agony?     But  what   thinkest   thou,; 
my  soul !  was  the  true  cause  of  all  this 
anguish,  and  bitter  agony  of  thy  Sa- 
viour?   Chiefly  these:  First,  A  clear 
view  and  lively  representation  of  all 
that  he  was  to  suffer  during  the  wholo 
course  of  his  passion:  so  that  all  the 
ignominies  and  torments,  that  he  was 
afterwards  successively  to  undergo,  were 
now  all  at  once  presented  before  the 
eyes  of  his  soul,  with  all  their  respec- 
tive aggravations;  by  which  means  he 
suffered  his  whole  bitter  passion  twice 
over,  once  by  the  hands  of  his  enemies, 
and  at  another  time  by  his  own  most 


ON  THE  PASSION  OF  CHRIST.        147 

clear  and  lively  imagination  of  all  that 

these'' dr'"'";    ^"'  ^'^y'  '^'^  J-"'' 
these   additional    agonies?     'Tis  only 

thy  love  can  answer.    Another  cause 

that  contributed  to  our  Saviour's  an 

gmsh    was  a  distinct  view  of   he  sLs 
of  the  whole  world,  from  the  first  to 

he  last;  of  the  horrid  crimes  and  atom- 
inations  of  mankind,  all  now  laid  To 
h.s  charge,  to  be  cancelled  by  the  last 
drop  of  his  blood.  Ah !  how  hideous  - 
how  detestable  were  all  these  hellish 
monsters,  in  the  eyes  of  our  SavjS' 

eno'^Jrbv  .'  "  ^"1  "°''°»  °'-  S 
tZT^'  u^  •'^"'"g  *'«'»ys  before  him 
a  clear  sight  of  the  infinite  majesty  bv 
them  offended!  OLord!  how  St  a 
share  has  not  my  sins  had  in  th  s  tra^ 
gical  scene!  how  much,  alas!  did  they 
contribute  to  thy  pains  and  grief?  I 
third  cause  of  our  Saviour's  afoiy,  wal 
the  foreknowledge  he  had  of^he^  Hub 

s"ffeSr'^?,in'^_r-^  °'-"''  •"^ 

and  haa-„ess";fT;;;^brwh?rtrev 
would  pervert  this  antidofe  into  a  mor^ 
tal  poison,  and  tread  his  blood  uX 


=liir^ 


148 


ON  OUR  SAVIOUR  IN  THE 


their  feet;  as  well  as  the  eternal  loss  of 
so  many  millions  of  souls,  for  which  he 
was  to  die.  All  these  sad  and  melan- 
choly thoughts  assailing  at  once  the  soul 
of  our  Redeemer,  cast  him  into  a  mor- 
tal agony,  and  forced  from  him  those 
streams  of  blood.  Ah  I  Christians,  pity 
now  the  anguish  of  your  Saviour,  and 
resolve  never  more  to  have  any  hand 
in  afflicting  his  tender  soul  by  sin. 


TWENTY-SIXTH  DAY. 

ON   OUR   SAVIOUR   IN  THE  COURT  OF 
CAIPHAS. 

Consider, /r5<,  how  our  Saviour  aris- 
ing from  his  prayer,  after  having  con- 
quered all  his  fears,  returns  to  his  dis- 
ciples, bidding  them  now  sleep  on  and 
take  their  rest,  for  that  his  hour  was 
come,  and  that  the  traitor  was  just  at 
hand.  But  thou,  dear  Lord!  when  wilt 
thou  enjoy  rest  or  place?  Not  till  the 
last  sleep"  of  death  on  the  hard  bed  of 
the  cross.  Contemplate,  Christians!  the 
courage  and  readiness  which  our  Savi- 


, 


loss  of 
hich  he 

melan- 
the  soul 

a  mor- 
n  those 
ns,  pity 
>ur,  and 
ly  hand 
in. 


IT  OP 


)ur  aris- 
ing con- 
his  dis- 
on  and 
3ur  was 
I  just  at 
hen  wilt 
;  till  the 
I  bed  of 
[ans!  the 
►ur  Savi- 


COURT  OF  CAIPHAS.  I49 

words    F,        .       r   ^^^  ^°"'^  "^  two 

^iinas,  the  father-in-law  of  the  hiVh 

servant  who  struck  him  on  the  fZ 
Prom  thence  they  led  him  to  he  coun 
of  Catphas,  where  the  chief  priestS 
elders  were  assemhio,!  i  P"®®'^  and 
th;«  „.„.  __.-^^®'"°'«9'  'ongmg  to  see 


,p«" 


150 


ON  OUR  SAVIOUR  IN  THE 


friends:  contemplate  this  meek  Lamb, 
loaded  wi.h  their  scoffs  and  insults,  ia 
the  midst  of  ravenous  wolves:  but  carry 
the  eyes  of  thy  understanding  still  far- 
ther: view  the  interior  of  his  soul,  and 
see  the  joy  and  satisfaction  he  takes  in 
complying  with  the  will  of  his  eter- 
nal F?Lther,  and  suffering  for  thee:  and 
learn  from  thence  to  have  the  like  dis- 
positions in  all  thy  sufferings. 

Consider,  secondly,  how  our  Lord 
was  no  sooner  brought  to  the  court  of 
Caiphas    the    high-priest,    where    the 
great  council  of  the  Sanhedrim  were 
assembled,    but    immediately    after   a 
scornful  welcome  they  proceed  to  his 
trial,  and  call  in  the  false  witnesses, 
who  were  to  depose  against  him.    But 
behold  the  providence  of  God,  see  the 
force  of  truth,  and  the  wonderful  inno- 
cence of  this  Lamb  of  God;  notwith- 
standing the   malice   of    this  impious 
court    and    their    witnesses,  men    of 
neither  honour  nor  conscicnee,  yet  a^* 
that  they  could  allege  against  him  was 
either  insignificant,  or  they  could  not 
agree  in  their  story,  which  made  their 


COURT  OF  CAIPHA3. 


151 


t  Lamb, 
isults,  ia 
rt  carry 
still  far- 
joul,  and 
takes  in 
[lis  eter- 
lee:  and 
like  dis- 

ur  Lord 
court  of 
lere  the 
im  were 

after  a 
3d  to  his 
vitnesses, 
lim.  But 
I,  see  the 
I'ful  inno- 

notwith- 
i   impious 

men    of 

him  was 
could  not 
lade  their 


testimonies  of  no  weight.    But  whilst 
thou   adorest    this   providence,   behold 
and  admire  the  meekness  and  patience 
of  thy  Saviour,  who   remained   silent 
under  all    the   provocations  given   by 
these  false  witnesses;  giving  thereby  a 
most   convincing   proof   of    his   being 
more  than  man,  who  could  thus  calmly 
hold   his   peace,  whilst   his   reputation 
and   life  were   both  attacked   by   pal- 
pable calumnies.    The  malice  of  our  Sa- 
viour's enemies  being  thus  confounded, 
the  high-priest  arises,  and  adjures  him 
by  the  living  God,  to  tell  him  whether 
he  was  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God !     Ia 
reverence  to  which  adorable  name,  our 
Lord   made  a   solemn   confession   and 
profession   of  the   truth,  teaching,  by 
his  example,  all   his   followers,  when 
called   to   the   like  trial,  never  to  be 
ashamed   of  him  or,  his   faith.     Upon 
this,  Caiphas  rends  his  garments,  cry- 
ing out,  Blasphemy!  and  they  all  pro- 
nounce him  lanrtJtii  nf  florti'k       D.,*.  *i 

my  soul,  let  us,  on  the  contrary,  cry 
out  with  the  angels,  and  all  the  elect 
of  God,  Rev.  v.  12.  The  Lamb  that  wcs 


152 


ON  OUR  "SAVIOUR  IN  THE 


slain,  is  worthy  to  receive  power,  and 
divinity,  and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and 
honour,  and  glory,  and  benediction,  from 
all  creatures  for  ever. 

Consider,  thirdly,  how  that  unjust 
sentence  against  our  Redeemer  was  no 
sooner  pronounced  by  the  great  coun- 
cil) but  immediately  they  all,  with  un- 
heard of  barbarity,  fell  upon  him,  more 
like  furies  of  hell  than  men,  discharg- 
ing upon  him  all  kinds  of  injuries^ 
blows,  affronts,  and  blasphemy.  See, 
my  soul!  how  these  hell-hounds  spit  in 
the  face  of  thy  Saviour,  and  disgorge 
their  filthy  phlegm  on  that  sacred  fore- 
head where  beauty  and  majesty  sit:  be- 
hold how  they  buffet,  kick,  and  strike 
him  with  merciless  rage,  whilst  he,  with 
his  hands  tied  behind  him,  is  not  able  to 
ward  off  one  blow,  nor  has  any  friend 
present  to  wipe  his  face,  or  afford  him 
any  other  help.  See,  how  they  muffle 
up  his  face  with  a  filthy  rag,  and  then 
in  derision  (as  if  he  were  a  mock  pro- 
phet or  impostor)  at  every  blow  bid 
him  prophesy  who  it  was  that  struck 
ihim:  besides  many  other  affronts,  which 


COURT  OF  CAIPHAS. 


153 


wer,  and 
ngth,  and 
ion,  from 

it  unjust 
jr  was  no 
?at  coun- 
with  un- 
im,  more 
discharg- 

injuriesj 
ly.  See, 
ds  spit  in 

disgorge 
;red  fore- 
y  sit:  be- 
nd strike 
;  he,  with 
Dt  able  to 
ly  friend 
ford  him 
3y  muffle 
and  then 

lock  nro- 
_   ,  _  ^  -  - 

blow  bid 

it  struck 

ts,  which 


he  endured  with  an  invincible  patience 
and  fortitude. 

Consider,  fourthly,  that  of  all  our 
Saviour's   sufferings   in    the   court  of 
Uaiphas,  none  touched  him  so  much  to 
the  quick  as  the  fall  of  Peter,  the  chief 
ot  his  apostles,  who  bad  received  the 
most  signal   favours  from   him;   who, 
alter  having  boasted  that  very  night 
that  though  all  the  rest  of  his  disciples 
should  abandon  their  Master,  he  would 
never  forsake  him,  and  that  he  would 
sooner  die  with  him,  than  deny  him: 
yet,   behold   the  weakness  and   incon- 
stancy of  human  nature;  at  the  voice 

u-  ^^f  ^  '^^^"^^  ^^  immediately  denies 
his  Master,  repeats  his  denial  a  second, 
a  third  time,  and  even  asserts  with  oaths 
and  imprecations,  that  he  never  knew 
the  man.     Sweet  Jesus!  what  is  man? 
Alas!  O  Lord,  look  to  me,  and  support 
me  by  thy  grace,  or  I  also  shall  deny 
thee.     The  causes  of  Peter's  fall  were, 
..  ..V.WV.I,  piiuc  uiiu  presumption 
upon   his  own   strength.     Secondly,  a 
neglect  of  the  admonition  of  our  Sa 
viour,  in  Jeepin^,  when  he  admonished 


,mt 


mm 


154 


ON   OUE   SAVIOUR,   ETC. 


him  to  watch  and  pray.  Thirdly^  in 
exposing  himself  to  the  danger,  by  run- 
ning into  ill  company.  Beware  that 
the  like  causes  do  not  produce  the  like 
effects  in  thee,  by  leading  thee  also  to 
deny,  and  even  crucify  the  Lord  by  sin. 
Learn  to  imitate  the  speedy  repentance 
of  this  apostle,  who,  immediately  after 
his  fall,  going  out,  wept  bitterly;  a 
practice  which,  it  is  said,  he  ever  after 
retained,  as  often  as  he  heard  the  cock 
crow. 

Consider,  ^i5/tZ^,  how  the  high-priest 
and  scribes,  after  having  pronounced 
sentence  of  death  against  our  Saviour, 
retired  to  take  their  rest,  leaving  him 
in  hands  that  were  not  likely  to  suffer 
him  to  take  any  rest.  01  what  a  night 
did  our  Lord  pass  in  the  midst  of  such- 
a  rabble,  who,  to  gratify  their  own 
cruelty,  and  the  malice  of  their  mas- 
ters, repeated  over  and  over  again,  that 
scene  of  inhumanity,  which  they  had 
begun  whilst  their  masters  were  pre- 
sent,  loading  him  with  all  kinds  of 
outrages  and  blasphemies.  So  that  we 
may  boldly  afHrm,  that  one  half  of 


Mrdly,  in 
•,  by  run- 
are   that 

the  like 
e  also  to 
'd  by  sin. 
jpentance 
ely  after 
tterly;  a 
ver  after 

the  cock 

igh-priest 
onounced 

Saviour, 
vmg  him 

to  suffer 
it  a  night 
t  of  such- 
leir  own 
leir  mas- 
gain,  that 
they  had 
^ere  pre- 
kinds  of 
0  that  we 

half  of 


OUR  SAVIOUR  IS  BROUGHT,  ETC.     155 

what  our  Saviour  suffered  on  that  night, 
will  not  be  known  till  the  day  of  judg- 
ment. All  which  insolencies  he  not 
only  bears  in  silence,  but  even  whilst 
they  are  abusing  him,  he  prays  for 
them,  excusing  them  to  his  Father,  and 
offering  up  all  his  sufferings  in  atone- 
ment for  their  sins.  Sweet  Jesus!  give 
us  the  grace  to  imitate  thee. 


TWENTY-SEVENTH  DAY. 

OUR   SAVIOUR   IS  BROUGHT  BEFORE  PILATE 
AND   HEROD. 

Consider,  Jirst^  how  early  in  the 
morning,  notwithstanding  their  late  sit- 
ting up,  the  high-priest,  and  his  fellows 
in  iniquity,  convene  a  more  numerous 
assembly  of  the  Sanhedrim,  and  there 
again  put  the  same  question  to  our  Sa- 
viour, Whether  he  was  the  Son  of  God? 
and  receiving  the  same  answer,  con- 
firm their  former  sentence.  Yet-  as 
they  did  not  think  it  safe  for  them- 
selves, being  subjects  of  the  Roman 
empire,  to  put  this  sentence  in  execu- 


156 


OUR  SAVIOUE  IS  BKOUGHT 


tion,  without  the  consent  of  Pontius  Pi- 
late the  governor,  they  determined  to 
carry  him  to  Pilate,  and  by  his  author- 
ity to  have  him  crucified:  a  kind  of  ex- 
ecution which  their  malice  made  choice 
of,  because  it  was  at  the  same  time, 
most   ignominious,  as   being  only   for 
vile  slaves  and  notorious  criminals;  and 
most  cruel,  as  being  a  long  and  linger- 
ing death,  under  the  sharpest  and  most 
sensible  torments.     Come  now,  O  Chris- 
tian soul!  and  contemplate  thy  Saviour, 
whilst  he  is  hurried  along  the  streets 
with  his  hands  bound,  from  the  house 
of  the  high-priest  to  the  court  of  Pilate, 
attended  by  the  whole  council  and  their 
wicked  ministers,  publishing  aloud  as 
they  go  on,  that  now  all  his  impostures 
were  laid  open,  his  hypocrisy  discover- 
ed, and  himself  convicted  of  blasphemy. 
Behold  the  giddy  mob,  who  a  little  be- 
fore reverenced  him  as  a  prophet,  now 
all  on  a  sudden  join  with  his  enemies, 
following  him  with  opprobrious  shouts 
and  insults  as  he  passes  along  the  high- 
way, and  discharging  a  thousand  kind 
of  injuries  and  affronts  upon  him. 


'ontius  Pi- 
rmined  to 
lis  author- 
ind  of  ex- 
ade  choice 
ime  time, 

only  for 
linals;  and 
nd  linger- 
;  and  most 
r,  O  Chris- 
7  Saviour, 
he  streets 
the  house 

of  Pilate, 
and  their 

aloud  as 
n  postures 

discover- 
asphemy. 

little  be- 
3het,  now 

enemies, 
us  shouts 
the  high- 
and  kind 
im. 


BEFORE  PILATE  AND  HEROD.        157 

Consider,    secondly,   and    view    the 
Judge  of  the  living  and  the  dead,  stand- 
ing with  his  hands  bound  as  a  criminal 
at  the   bar  of  a  petty  governor;  and 
behold  the  process.     The  chief  priests 
and  princes  of  the  people  having  deliv- 
ered   him   up,   and   Pilate    demanding 
what   particulars   they   had    to  allege 
against  him,  they  made  no  scruple  of 
inventing  fresh  calumnies,  viz.  that  ho 
was  a  factious  and  seditious  man,  a  trai- 
tor and  rebel  to  the  government,  who 
had  forbid  tribute  to  be  paid  to  Ca3sar, 
and  set  himself  up  for  king  of  the  Jews. 
Once  more  take  notice  of  the  invincible 
patience   of  thy  Saviour,   in   hearing 
with  silence  such  notorious  falsities  as 
these  laid  to  his  charge;  in  so  much 
that  the  governor  was  astonished  that 
a  man  could  be  silent  under  such  accu- 
sations, which  aimed  at  nothing  less 
than    procuring    his  condemnation  to 
the  worst  of  deaths.     However,  as  he 
plainly  saw  through  all  the  disguise  of 

scribes, 


-priest 


preted   this  silence   in    favour  of  ..u* 
Saviour,  only  hesitating  a  little  at  the 


mter- 


our 


158 


OUR  SAVIOUR  IS  BROUGHT 


word  king,  and  having  received  full 
satisfaction  upon  that  head,  by  being 
given  to  understand  that  the  kir';dom 
of  our  Saviour  was  not  of  this  world, 
and  therefore  not  dangerous  to  Caesar's 
government,  he  determined  to  set  him 
at  liberty.  Admire  the  force  of  inno- 
cence, which  could  even  move  a  hea- 
then, and  one  of  the  worst  of  men, 
such  as  Pilate  was,  and  assure  thyself, 
that,  generally  speaking,  patience  and 
silence  are  a  thousand  times  better 
proofs  of  thy  innocence,  than  returning 
injury  for  injury,  and  making  an  op- 
probrious and  clamorous  defence. 

Consider,  thirdly,  how  Pilate  being 
convinced  of  our  Saviour's  innocence, 
and  desirous  of  setting  him  at  liberty, 
met  with  an  obstinate  resistance  from 
the  malicious  princes  and  deluded  peo- 
ple; and  therefore  understanding  that 
our  Saviour,  as  being  an  inhabitant  of 
Galilee,  belonged  to  the  jurisdiction  of 
Herod,  the  tetrarch  thereof,  he  from 
thence  took  occasion  to  rid  himself  of 
their  importunity,  by  sending  him  to 
Herod.     Accompany  thy  Lord,  O  my 


;cived  full 
by  being 
3  kinndom 
this  world, 
to  Caesar's 
to  set  him 
:e  of  inno- 
)ve  a  hca- 
t  of  men, 
re  thyself, 
tience  and 
nes  better 
I  returning 
ing  an  op- 
mce. 

ilate  being 
innocence, 
at  liberty, 
tance  from 
sluded  peo- 
nding  that 
labitant  of 
sdiction  of 
r,  he  from 
himself  of 
tig  him  to 
Drd,  O  my 


BEFORE  PILATE  AND  IIEROD.        159 

soul!  in  this  new  stage,  and  tak^  notice 
of  his  incomparable  meckn.ss,  whilst 
he  passes  through  the  stree.s,  linec  on 
each  side  with  an  inlUlting  i - !.Ui^..de, 
and  echoing  with  their  reprouohes  and 
clamours.    Herod  rejoiced  at  his  coming, 
in  hopes  to  see  some  miracle,  and  there- 
fore put  a  thousand  questions  to  him: 
whilst  the   princes  of  the  Jews,  -with 
unwearied  malice,  were  repeating  all 
their  false  accusations  against  him;  but 
our  Lord  was  still  silent,  nor  would  he 
satisfy  the  curiosity  of  Herod,  nor  do 
any  thing  by  which  he  might  incline 
this  prince  to  free  him  from  that  death 
which   he  so  ardently  desired,  as  be- 
ing by  the  decrees  of  Jieaven,  tlie  only 
means  of  our  redemption.     Blessed  by 
all  creatures  be  his  goodness  for  ever! 
Consider,  fourthly.,  how  Herod,  pro- 
voked by  our  SaviourVnot  consenting 
to  gratify  his  inclinations  of  seeing  a 
miracle,  sought  to  revenge  himself  by 
treating  him  with  mockery  and  scorn, 
exposing  him  to  the  scoffs  of  his  guards^ 
by  ordering  him  to  be  clothed  in  con- 
tempt with  a  white  garment  as  with  a 


OUR  SAVIOUR  IS  BROUGHT 


fool's  coat,  or  perhaps  as  a  mock  king: 


and  in  inis  dress  sent  him  back  agam 
to  Pilate,  attended  in  the  same  manner 
as  he  came,  wilfl  an  insulting  mob, 
headed  by  the  scribes  and  pharisees. 
Stand  amazed,  my  soul  I  to  see  the  Wis- 
dom of  the  eternal  Father  treated  thus 
as  a  fool ;  and  learn  from  hence,  not  to 
repine,  or  be  solicitous  about  the  judg- 
ment of  the  world. 

Consider,  ffthly,  how  Pilate,  seeing 
our  Saviour  brought  back  again  to  his 
tribunal,  contrived  another  way  to  bring 
him  off,  so  as  to  give  at  the  same  time 
as  little  offence  as  might  be  to  the  high- 
priest  and  the  chief  of  the  Jews.     It 
was  the  custom  of  that  nation,  on  the 
day  of  their  paschal  solemnity,  (which 
was  celebrated  that  very  day  in  mem- 
ory of  their  delivery  from  the  Egyp- 
tian bondage,)  to  set  at  liberty  one  crim- 
inal for  whom  the  people  should  peti- 
tion: wherefore  Pilate,  taking  advantage 
of  this  opportunity,  proposed  to  their 
choice  our  Saviour  on  one  hand,  ana 
Bt*rabbas,  a  rotorious  malefactor,  rob- 
ber, and  murderer,  on  the  other,-  not 


ck  king; 
ck  again 
i  manner 
ng  mobj 
>harisees. 
the  Wis- 
ated  thus 
ce,  not  to 
the  judg- 

te,  seeing 
ain  to  his 
y  to  bring 
;ame  time 
the  high- 
Jews.    It 
)n,  on  the 
Ly,  (which 
( in  mem- 
the  Egyp- 
one  crim- 
lould  peti- 
advantage 
d  to  their 
hand,  and 
actor,  rob- 
other;  not 


BEFORE  PILATE  AND  HEROD.        161 

doubting  but  they  would  rather  choose 
to  have  the  innocent  Lamb  of  God  re- 
leased, than  that  Barabbas,  the  worst 
of  criminals,  should  escape  due  punish- 
ment.    Ah!  Pilate,  what  an  outrageous 
affront  dost  thou  here  put  upon  the  Son 
of  God,  whilst  thou  pretendest  to  favour 
him  ?     What !  must  the  Lord  of  life  and 
immortality,  the  King  of  Heaven,  stand 
m  competition  with  the  vilest  of  men, 
with  the  most  notorious  criminal  that 
could  be  pitched  upon.?    Must  it  be  put 
to  the  votes  of  the  mob,  which  of  the 
two  IS  the  better  man,  and  which  is  the 
more  worthy  of  death?    01  the  unpar- 
alleled  injury!     O!   the  incomparable 
humility  of  my  Saviour!    O!  King  of 
glory,  how  low  hast  thou  stooped,  to 
raise  me  up  from  the  dunghill! 

Consider,  sixthly,  if  it  was  an  into- 
lerable affront  to  compare  our  Saviour 
with  Barabbas,  what  idea  must  we 
frame,  or  what  name  must  we  give  to 
that  blind  people's  choice,  when  thev 
preferred  Barabbas  to  Christ,  and  di 
sired  that  the  latter  might  be  crucified, 
and  the  former  acquitted.  Behold,  O' 
11  ' 


162 


OUR  SAVIOUR  IS  SCOURGED 


h 


1=^ 


my  soul,  in  this  wonderful  humiliation 
of  thy  Lord,  how  deep  and  dangerous 
was  the  wound  of  pride,  which  could 
not  be  cured  but  by  so  great  humility: 
O!  see  if  thine  be  yet  cured.  Examine 
thyself  also,  whether  thou  hast  not  often 
been  guilty,  like  these  blind  Jews,  of 
preferring  Barabbas  to  thy  Saviour;  by 
turning  thy  back  on  him  for  some  petty 
interest  or  filthy  pleasure?  If  so,  thou 
art  more  inexcusable  than  they,  because 
thou  knowest  him  to  be  the  Lord  of 
glory,  at  the  same  time  as  thou  perse- 
cutest  him  by  sin;  whereas  had  they 
known  him  to  be  such,  they  would 
never  have  preferred  a  Barabbas  before 
him. 


TWENTY-EIGHTH  DAY. 

OUR    SAVIOUR    IS    SCOURGED   AT    THE   PIL- 
LAR,  AND   CROWNED   WITH   THORNS. 

Consider,  Jlrst,  how  the  Jews  still 

eontlniiinfT  tn  orv  nut  nfrnin«t  nur  Tinrd. 

and  in  a  tumultuous  manner  to  demand 
his  crucifixion,  Pilate  contrives  another 


GED 

humiliation 
dangerous 
hich  could 
t  humility: 
Examine 
st  not  often 
d  Jews,  of 
Javiour;  by 
some  petty 
If  so,  thou 
3y,  because 
le  Lord  of 
ihou  perse- 
j  had  they 
hey  would 
bbas  before 


AT  THE  PILLAR,   ETC. 


163 


DAY. 

T    THE   PIL- 
THORNS. 

Jews  still 
t  our  Lord- 

to  demand 
^es  another 


way  to  bring  about  his  being  set  at 
liberty,  VIZ.  by  striving  to  satisfy  their 
crue  ty,  ,n  ordering  him  to  be  most  se- 
verely scourged.     O!  Pilate,  how  cruel 
IS  thy  mercy!    Is  it   thus' that  thou 
treatest  mm  whom  thou  declarest  in- 
nocent?   Is  this  thy  justice?    But  our 
sins,0  my  soul!  required  that  the  Lord 
of  glory  should,  be  thus  cruelly  treated, 
and  subjected  to  this  ignominious  pun- 
ishment, to  which  none  but  common 
slaves,  or   the  meanest  wretches  are 
liable,  and  to  which  a  Roman  citizen 
could  upon  no  account  be  condemned, 
btand  thou,  my  soul!  and  see  in  what 
™^nner  this  sentence  is  executed.    Be- 
hold how  the  bloody  soldiers  lay  their 
impious  hands  on  this  meek  Lamb  of 
G(^,  how  they  strip  oft"  all  his  clothes, 
and  tie  him  naked  fast  to  a  stone  pillar- 
see  how  they  discharge  upon  his  sacred 
DacJt  and  shoulders  innumerable  stripes, 
lashes  and  scourges:  behold  the  blood 
come  spouting  forth  on  all  sides:  se« 
now  his  body  is  all  over  rent  and  man- 
gled by  their  cruelty,  and  the  flesh  lai(J 
open  to  the  very  bones:  behold  bis  en©. 


} 


\ 


Wli 


164 


OUR  SAVIOUR  IS  SCOURGED 


mies  all  the  while  insulting  over  him, 
and  rejoicing  at  his  torments;  whilst  he, 
with  eyes  cast  up  iowards  heaven,  is 
offering  up  all  that  ho  suffers  for  their 
sins,  and  for  those  of  ti?e  whole  world. 
Ah!  sinners,  take  a  serious  view  of  your 
Redeemer's  condition,  and  contemplat- 
ing in  his  torn  and  mangled  body,  the 
malice  of  sin,  learn  to  detest  this  hell- 
ish monster,  which  has  brought  on  the 
Son  of  God  all  these  sul  rings. 

Consider,  secondly,  hotv  these  bloody 
ruffians  by  their  cruel  scourging  hav- 
ing made  but  one  wound  of  our  Sa- 
viour's body,  from  head  to  foot,  loose 
him  at  last  from  the  pillar,  leaving 
him  to  put  on  his  clothes  as  well  as  he 
could.  Ahl  Christians,  have  compas- 
sion now  on  your  Saviour's  abandoned 
condition,  who  has  no  one  to  lend  him 
a  helping  hand  to  bind  up  his  gaping 
wounds,  or  staunch  the  blood  that  comes 
flowing  from  them!  O!  present  your- 
selves now,  and  offer  him  what  service 
you  are  able :  offer  at  least  to  assist  him 
in  putting  on  his  clothes,  to  cover  his 
green  wounds  from  the  cold  air.    But, 


0!h 

to  hi 
aifor 
do  hi 
bing 
Cc 
less  s 
vioui 

devil 
such 
since 
a  ba] 


ragge 
of  loi 
press 
in  his 
in  dCi 
knees 
saluta 


IGED 

over  him, 
;  whilst  he, 

heaven,  is 
rs  for  their 
hole  world, 
lew  of  your 
contemplat- 
d  body,  the 
3t  this  hell- 
jght  on  the 
igs. 

hese  bloody 
irging  hav- 
of  our  Sa- 

foot,  loose 
ar,  leaving 

well  as  he 
ve  compas- 

abandoned 
;o  lend  him 

his  gaping 
I  that  comes 
esent  your- 
^hat  service 
o  assist  him 

0  cover  his 

1  air.    But, 


AT  THE   PILLAE,   ETC. 


165 


O!  how  rough  are  these  woollen  clothes 
to  his  wounded  back!  Alas!  instead  of 
affording  him  any  ease  or  comfort,  they 
do  but  increase  his  sores,  by  their  rub- 
bing upon  them. 

Consider,  thirdly,  how  these  merci- 
less soldiers  had  scarce  given  our  Sa- 
viour a  short  respite  after  his  scourg- 
ing, when  they  were  pushed  on  by  the 
devil  to  act  another  scene  of  cruelty, 
such  as  never  was  heard  of  before  or 
since:  and  that  was,  to  make  themselves 
a  barbarous  sport  in  crowning  him  a 
king.     Therefore  they  drag  him  into 
the  court  of  the  Proetorium,  and  assem- 
ble together  the  whole  regiment:  then 
violently   strip   him   again   of  all   his 
clothes,  which  now  begin  to  cleave  to 
his  wounded  body;  set  him  on  a  bench 
or  stool,  throw   about   him   some   old 
ragged  purple  garment,  tWist  a  wreath 
of  long,  hard   and   sharp  thorns,  and 
press  it  down  on  his  sacred  head,  put 
in  his  hand  a  reed  for  a  sceptre :  then 
m  dension,  one  by  one,  they  bend  their 
knees   before   him,  with   the   scornful 
salutation,  Hail,  ktig  of  the  Jews!  they 


i  ^ 


III 


166         OUR  SAVIOUR  IS  fc^COJRGED 


spit  in  his  fhce,  bullet  him,  m\d  takin^ 
the  reed  or  cane  out  of  his  haud.  strii.!' 
him  With  It  on  the  head,  driving  the 
thorii^  deeper  in,  whilst  the  blood  trickles 
down    apace    from   the   many    wounds 
which   ne  receives  from  their  points, 
bweet  Jesus!  what  shall  we  hfeie  say 
or  which  shall  we  most  admire;  the  mal- 
ice of  these  ministers  of  Satan,  or  thy 
unparalleled  charity,  which  made  thee 
undergo  such   c  heard  of  reproaches 
and  torments  for  ungrateful  sinners? 
iilessed  be  thy  goodness  for  ever. 
.    Consider,  fourthly,  how  Pilate,  hop- 
ing now  that  the  rage  and  malice  of 
the  Jews  would  be  satisfied,  so  as  to 
insist    no  longer  upon   our  Saviour's 
death,  after  they  should  see  with  how 
much   cruelty   and    contempt    he  had 
been   treated,   in  compliance  to  their 
iury,  leads  him  forth  in  the  same  •  ^n- 
dition,  with  the  crown  of  thorns  r     .[s 
head,  and     he   ragged   purpk  his 

shoulders;  :..d  from  an  eminen  «ftews 
"im  to  the  people,  saying,  Ecvn  ,omo, 
hehold  the  man.  Behold  in  what  umx^ 
ner  he  has  now  been  handled,     mjc 


•\ 


rRGED 


baud 


3trik 


.'iy 


driving  the 
>lood  trickles 
iny  wounds 
heir  points. 
B  hire  say, 
re;  the  mal- 
itan,  or  thy 
made  thee 
reproaches 
ul  sinners? 
ever. 

Pilate,  hop- 
l  malice  of 
3,  so  as  to 
•  Saviour's 
J  with  how 
3t  he  had 
e  to  their 
i  same  '  n- 
3rns  f  i,  is 
>lt  his 

jn     «fiews 

what    '  a- 

Hed,     -^oe 


AT   THE  PILLAR,  ETC. 


167 


then  any  longer  to  seek  his  death.     Let 
his  body  mangled   from  head  to  foot 
bespeak  your  pity.     But  thou,  O  Chris- 
tian soul!  behold  the  man  with  other 
kmd  of  eyes  than  these  hard-hearted 
wretches;  and  see  to  what  a  condition 
thy  sms  and  his  own  infinite  charity 
have  reduced   him.     Behold   his   head 
crowned  with  a  wreath  of  sharp  thorns, 
piercmg  on  all  sides  his  sacred  flesh, 
and  entering  into  his  temples  with  ex- 
cessive  pain.     Behold   his   face  quite 
disfigured   with   blows,   and   quite   be- 
smeared with  spittle  and   blood.     Be- 
hold  his  whole  body  inhumanly  rent 
and  torn  with  whips  and  scourges;  and 
now  covered  with  a  hard  ragged  gar- 
ment,  rubbing,   and   at  each   moment 
increasing  his  wounds;  and  then  look 
up,  and    conternplate    Jiim    upon    his 
throne  of  glory,  and  see  what  return 
thou  canst  make  him  for  having  thus 
annihilated  himself  for  love  of  thee.   He 
desires  no  more  of  thee  than  an  imita- 
tion of  his  patience  and  humility:  learn 
then  in  what  manner  thou  art  to  prac- 
tice these  lessons. 


168 


OUE   SAVIOUE  CAERIES 


TWENTY-NINTH  DAY. 

OUR   SAVIOUR  CARRIES  HIS  CROSS,  AND  IS 
NAILED  TO  IT. 

Consider,  firsts  how  the  malice  of 
the  Jews,  no  way  relenting  at  the  sight 
of  the  Lamb  of  God  bleeding  for  the 
sins  of  the  world,  but  continuing  still 
in  a  tumultuous  manner  to  demand  that 
he  might  be  crucified,  Pilate  at  last 
yields  to  their  importunity,  and  against 
his  own  conscience,  sentences  our  Sa- 
viour to  the  death  of  the  cross.  Ah! 
Christians,  has  it  never  been  your  mis- 
fortune by  the  like  cowardice  to  con- 
demn your  Saviour  and  his  doctrine, 
and  basely  to  renounce  in  the  practice 
of  your  lives  the  maxims  of  the  gospel, 
for  fear  of  what  the  world  will  say? 
Has  not  too  often  a  much  weaker  temp- 
tation than  the  fear  of  losing  Caesar's 
friendship  induced  you  to  crucify  again 
the  Son  of  God?     Be  confounded  and 


iC 


pen  I 


Consider,  secondly^  that  this  sentence 
of  death,  how  unjust  soever  from  Pilate, 


HIS   CROSS,  ETC. 


169 


yet  as  being  most  just  from  his  eternal 
leather,  and  necessary  for  our  salvation, 
was  received  with  perfect  submission 
charity  and  silence,  by  our  blessed  Ee- 
(leemer;  who  thereupon  was  immedi- 
ately stripped  again  of  his  purple  gar- 
ment;  clad   with    his    own   clothes;   a 
heavy  cross,  of  a  length  and  size  pro- 
portionable to  the  bearing  of  a  mm, 
laid  on  his  wounded  shoulders;  and  two 
thieves  or  highway  robbers  appointed 
to  be  his  associates,  and  to  be  executed 
with  him;  to  verify  the  prophecy.  With 
me  wicked  he  was  reputed,   Isai.   liii 
Come  now,  devout  souls,  and  take  a 
view  of  our  Lord  in  this  his  last  pro- 
gress or  procession.     A  crier  leads  the 
way,   publishing  aloud   the   pretended 
crimes  and  blasphemies  of  this  never 
heard  of  malefactor:   then  follow  the 
soldiers  and  executioners,  with  ropes, 
hammers,  nails,  fe.     After  whom  go- 
eth    or    rather    r    .epeth    along,    our 
High-priest  and  Victim,  all  bruised  and 
bloody,  with  a  thief  on  each  hand,  and 


the  cross  on  his 
forward  step  by 


houlde 

"p;  followed 


ragging  it 

and  sT:ir- 


OUR  SAVIOUR  CABRiJ2* 

rounded  on  all  sides  by  the  priests,  the 
scr-bes,  and  the  whole  mob  of  the  peo- 
ple, cursing,  reviling  and  scoffing  at 
him,-  whilst  the  cruel  executioners  are 
hastening  him  forward  with  their  kicks, 
and  blows.  Ah!  Christians,  now  at 
least  take  pity  on  your  Saviour's  suf- 
lerings,  and  add  not  t(  his  load  by  your 
sins.  ^  -^     * 

CoNsiLiiR,  thirdly,  how  our  blessed 
J^ord,  having  for  some  time,  with  un- 
speakable labour  and  torment,  carried 
his  cross  through  the  streets,  at  last 
falls  down  under  its  wei  ht,  unable  to 
carry  it  any  .  rthe. .     W  under  not,  my 
soul,  at  this,  since  besides  the  load  of 
the  cross  oppreoLig  his  woaried  body, 
wounded  m  every  part,  and  exhausted 
with  the  loss  of  so  mud    blood,  his 
heavenly  Father    hap    ^aiH    upon   his 
shoulders  another  mo       i     upportable. 
weight,  viz.  that  of  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world.     Ah!  Christians,  it  is  un- 
der  this  intolerable  burthen  that  your 
^^  vi-xQ  laiis  uuwn.     In  or  IS 

i.!/7  ^i^  ^^^  °f  this  merciless 
load   by  Simon  of  Cyrene,  who  was 


ests,  the 
the  peo- 
•ffing  at 
lers  are 
ir  kicks, 
now  at 
ir's  suf- 
3y  your 

blessed 
ith  un- 
carried 
at  last 
able  to 
lot,  my 
oad  of 
[  body, 
lausted 
)d,  his 
on  hi" 
triable, 
of  the 
is  un- 
1^  your 
LNor  is 
rciless 
5  was 


HIS   CROSS,  ETC. 


171 


compelled  to  take  up  the  cro..  ^n*  i. 
no  part  of  the  weight  ^r  .?•'  V"^^re 

all  which  theTetlnf/S;^^f.«,' 
upon  h  s  belovPfl  ^^Tr  /^^^"^r  laid 
by  his  blood  «n/l"'l^  be^  cancelled 


by  his  blood  and  deatl?     ni   -^  • 
ffonrin^oc  ^r  .i    '"_"catn     Qf  infinite 

•    (Ji  infinite 


^^  J       "^^^^  anu  aeatJi 

being  nor-ty.',tra^'°"'" 

wear- 'i  ^ll^^^^^^^^  ^r.- 
wine  seasoned  'wfcf  '^^^Sht  of 

again  bliding^rrC'cT^ 


172 


OTJR   SAVIOUR   CARRIES 


O!  see  how,  while  the  cross  is  prepar 
ing,  he  falls  upon  his  knees,  and  offers 
himself  to  his  eternal  Father,  a  bleed- 
ing victim  to  appease   his  wrath  en- 
kindled by  thy  sins. 

CoNsiB^,  Jlfthly,  how  the  cross  lying 
flat  on  the  ground,  they  lay  our  dear 
Redeemer  stretched  out  upon  it,  who 
like  a  meek  lamb  makes  no  resistance. 
And  first  drawing  his  right  hand  to  the 
place  designed  to  fix  it  on,  they  drive 
with  their  hammers  a  sharp  gross  nail 
through  the  palm^  forcing  its  way  with 
incredible  torment  through  the  sinews, 
veins,  muscles  and  bones,  of  which  the 
hand  is  composed,  into  the  hard  wood  of 
the  cross;  in  the  mean  time  the  whole 
body,  to  favour  the  wound  and  the 
pierced  sinews,  was  naturally  drawn 
towards  the  right  side,  but  was  not  long 
permitted  to  remain  so;  for  immediately 
these  cruel  butchers  laying  hold  of  his 
left  arm  and  hand,  violently  drag  him 
towards  the  opposite  side,  in  order  to 
nail  that  hand  also  to  the  place  d  ign- 
ed  for  it.  Then  pulling  down  his  legs, 
they  fastened  his  sacred  feet  in  like 


HIS   CROSS,  ETC. 


173 


en- 


manner  wuh  „a  Is  to  the  *vood:  and 
all  this  with  such  violence,  that  it  is 

and  pul Img  they  very  much  strained 

many  parts,  verifying  the  prediction  of 
the  royal  prophet:  They  have  dug  mv 
^^ds  and  feet,  they  have  numbered  2 
my  bones,  Ps.  xxi.  ^h!  Christians,  if 
the  contracting  or  piercing  of  a  nerve 

>ng  of  a  bone,  though  never  so  small 

think  o'?T    \  ""•'"'■^'  ^^''^  ">"«'  we 
think  of  the  torments  vrfiich  our  Sa- 

vjour  endured  in  his  dijointed  body. 

ed,  when  his  hands  and  feet,  where  so 
many  s.news,  muscles,  veins,  and  bones 
ai  meet,  were  violently  bo.ed  through 
with  gross  nails!  0!let  us  never  cele 
to  admire,  adore,  and  love  his  mer^ 


ll 


174       OUR  SAVIOUR  ON  THE  ^ROSS. 


li 


THIRTIETH  DAY. 

OUR   SAVIOUR    ON   THE   CROSS. 

Consider,  firsts  how  the  bloody  exe- 
cutioners having  now  nailed  our  Sa- 
viour fast  to  the  cross,  begin  with  ropes 
to  raise  him  up  in  the  air.  O!  what 
shouts  did  his  enemies  make,  when  he 
appeared  above  the  people's  heads !  with 
what  blasphemies  did  they  salute  him! 
whilst  his  most  afflicted  mother,  and 
other  devout  friends,  stood  by  pierced 
to  the  he^.rj  at  the  sight.  At  length 
they  let  the  foot  of  the  cross  fall  with 
a  sudden. jolt  into  the  hole  prepared  for 
it  J  and  thus  he  hung  suspended  in.  the 
air  under  the  most  excruciating  tor- 
tures, the  weight  of  his  body  continual- 
ly increasing  the  wounds  in  his  pierced 
hands  and  feetj  without  any  resting 
place  for  his  head,  but  thorns;  or  bed 
for  his  wearied  and  wounded  body,  but 
the  hard  wood  of  the  cross. 

Coi  siDER,  secon-^ly,  the  infinite  char- 
ity of  our  Saviour,  and  thj  unparallel- 
ed  malice  of  his  enemies.     When  in 


s. 

Jy  cxe- 
►ur  Sa- 
il ropes 
!  what 
hen  he 
s!  with 
;e  him! 
jr,  and 
pierced 

length 
lU  with 
red  for 
I  in  the 
ig  tor- 
itinual- 
pierced 
resting 

or  bed 
dy,  but 

e  char- 
arallel- 
hen  in 


OUR  SAVIOUR  ON  THE  CROSS.   175 

^a^^  r->  '^  -OS  out, 
not  e.yi«^S«'  i'^  >r  ^^ep  know 

shake  their  heads  athT-'  '^'^  ^^"^  ^^^^ 
thou  that  desZyest^h^^^^^^  ^«^-' 

^ave  now  thyself     ffZ    ""  ^^^''  ^«^^. 
of  God,  coZdiwn  £1  M    "''  '^'  ^'^ 
'      only  the  eon.  Jn  (^0^' ^.T!^^^^ 

but  a  so  the  chiVf^  •         ^  soldiers, 
unite  in  loar'i„1"2"!f^'^  and  elders 
such  like  renrnaJ^^        ."*  ^  'housand 

-wch  h:  hrtd'it^p^r-' 

anf^t   ince-hnt  ni    T       '"  patience 

intenor  e^pt2^t  of  H^'k/""  "^  ">« 
whilst  he   hanJ?  ,         '''^ '''^^^ed  soul, 

thoughtsVpTafe  tTwTrd^lT"^  "'^ 
ers  for  us    th^  a^^^    •  i.     "^'  ^'^^  P^'ay- 

agon.es  orihelntSlSf  J^'^'Y 

which  wis  to"   «!  f  "'^  "'^^'^  Father, 

reden,p.ir„,':Sh  ^ast'n'^'^"'''""' 
'ng  to  poor  sinners.  ^°  '"Part- 

bleSrCin'S'  ^^  P^"  '"-t  the 
^-ngsori^SltdtSjJ-:- 


176   OUR  SAVIOUR  ON  THE  CROSS. 

was  verified  that  prophecy  of  old  Sim- 
eon, that  the  sword  should  pierce  her 
very  soul.     0!  how  killing  a  grief  must 
have  oppressed   the  soul  of  this  most 
tender  and  loving  of  all  mothers,  who 
during  the  whole  course  of  the  passion 
of  her  dearest  Son,  whom  she  loved 
with  an  incomparable  love,  was  an  eye- 
witness to  all  the  injuries,  outrages,  and 
torments  he  endured.   Ah  I  blessed  Lady, 
may  we  not  truly  say  that  the  whips, 
thorns  and  nails,  that  pierced  thy  Son's 
flesh,  made  as  deep  a  wound  in  thy  vir- 
gin heart,  and  that  nothing  less  than  a 
miracle  could  have  supported  thy  life 
under  such  excess  of  pain?     But,  O! 
what  a  deep  wound  didst  thou  feel  in 
thy  soul,  when  thy  dying  Son  recom- 
mended thee  to  his  belovec'  disciple  St. 
John,  giving  to  thee  the  Son  of  Zebe- 
dee,  in  exchange  for  the  Son  of  God! 
Blessed  Virginfwe  gladly  acknowledge 
.thee   for  our  mother,  an   honour  con- 
ferred on  each  of  us  in  the  person  of 
t.  Jonn:  U;  mrougii  mi  my  suuciui^o, 
remember  us  poor   banished  children 
of  Eve,  before   the  throne  of  grace. 


iS. 

old  Sim- 
lerce  her 
:ief  must 
his  most 
ers,  who 
3  passion 
he  loved 
3  an  eye- 
iges,  and 
led  Lady, 
le  whips, 
Lhy  Son's 
I  thy  vir- 
ss  than  a 
thy  life 
But,  0! 
u  feel  in 
n  recom- 
isciple  St. 
of  Zebe- 
of  God! 
nowledge 
lour  con- 
person  of 

tUliCl  lilgOy 

children 
of  grace. 


OUR  SAVIOUK  ON  THE  CEOSS.   177 

Christians!  learn  the  admirable  fessona 
taught  you  by  our  blessed  Lady,  at  the 
J°?' °f  'h«  cross;  imitate  her  un  hiken 
faith  and  undoubted  hope;  perfect  re 
f'f «'!?"'  Patience  and  fortitude!    O- 

L  ?h2r  ^"^  '°  '°r^  J««-'  ^"d  detest" 
sm  the  true  cause  of  his  sufferings 

seem ''now";  ^T^'^^'  ^""^  «"  '^ings 
seeni  now  to  have  conspired  aeainst 
pur  dearest  Lord.  The  thought  ff  be 
mg  forsaken  by  his  Fatherf  and  the 
gnef  and  presence  of  his  Mother,  pierce 
him  to  the  heart  io  <■  ''^MP'erce 
onPnP.hr  u  \  ^  '°'"  hisapostes, 
dell  V   "  ^'^y^^^^y^A  him,  another 

Donea  him.  His  friends,  and  all  tho<!P 
whom  he  had  most  favoured  and  mirac 
ulously  cured,  now  either  join  wi™  hS 
persecutors  or  at  least  ire  aThamed 
01  mm  His  enemies  ijisult  him,  and 
triumph  over  him.  His  own  b^dV tv 
•t«  weight  i»  a  torment  to  him      Biu 

joiesigiu  of  the  ingratitude  of  nh.;». 
from'  hU  'T.^'^'f  **'*'>"  ^'"  d'^ri;; 
eternal  loss  of  so  many  souls  redeem- 


178   OUR  SAVIOUR  ON  THE  CROSS. 

ed  by  his  precious  blood.  Ah!  sweet 
Jesus,  suffer  me  not  to  be  included  in 
that  unhappy  number;  suffer  me  not  to 
be  so  miserable,  as  to  join  with  thy 
enemies  in  crucifying  thee  by  sin! 

Consider,  j^/;/i/^,  the  lessons  that  our 
Saviour  gives  us  by  his  last  words 
upon  the  cross.  First,  Of  perfect  love 
and  charity  to  his  enemies,  by  praying 
for  them,  and  pleading  their  excuse 
with  his  eternal  Father:  Father,  for- 
give them,  for  they  know  not  what  tkey 
do.  O!  let  us  learn  from  our  dying 
Redeemer,  this  necessary  lesson,  to 
love  and  pray  for  those  that  hate  and 
persecute  us:  and  instead  of  ag:gravat- 
ing,  excuse  their  crime,  and  impute  it 
to  their  ignorance!  O!  how  true  is  it 
of  every  sinner,  he  knows  not  what  he 
does,  otherwise  he  would  never  dare  to 
%  in  the  face  of  infinite  Majesty;  he 
would  never  be  so  mad  a#to  renounce 
heaven  for  a  trifle,  and  cast  himself 
down  the  precipice  that  leads  to  hell. 
Secondly,  Learn  the  efUcacy  of  a  sin- 
cere conversion,  and  an  humble  confes- 
sion of  sins,  in  the  plenary  indulgence 


)SS. 

h!  sweet 
eluded  in 
me  not  to 
with  thy 
sin! 

i  that  our 
st  words 
'feet  love 

praying 
r  excuse 
iher,  for- 
vhat  they 
n  dying 
3sson,  to 
hate  and 
iggravat- 
mpute  it 
true  is  it 

what  he 
r  dare  to 
esty;  he 
renounce 

hlmseif 

to  hell. 

e  confes- 
iulgerice 


OUR  SAVIOUR  ON  THE  CROSS.   179 

given  by  our  dying  Saviour  to  the  good 

T^Jrr    ^  ""'''  "*«  «■«  paradise.-. 
TuirdlyU^,,  a  filial  devodon  to    he 

blessed  Virgm,  recommended  to  us  as 
a  mother  by  her  Son,  in  the  person  of 

l^arn    the   greatness   of   the   interior 
anguish   of    thy   Saviour's   soul    from 
•those   words,  Mu   God    m,  cL       i 

for  no  other  reason,  but  that  poor  sTn- 
ful  man  m.ght  not  be  forsaken^    Fmh- 

ulTJ'f -T^'^  "f  'hy  crucified 
our  t  •  *''i'  ''  '°  ^  observed,  that 
our  Saviour  suffered  two  violent  thirats 
upon  the  cross;  the  one  corpo"eal,  pr^ 

suffered  so  many  torments,  and  shed  S 
much  blood;  the  other  spiritual  in  hk 
Tation^  •'-/-h^ent  defire  of  our  sal! 
vation.  But,  O!  cruel  wretches,  who 
would  grant  him  nothing  but  vinegar 
iri"?!'.  1'^.  -'•P--'  thirst!  fnd 
»kA^1„"'  X-  '"","^'''«'  «'""  instead  of  sa- 
t'&tying  his  spiritual  thirst  by  gratitude 
and  devotion,  give  him  notli|bat  "he 


m  i 

■       3i 


180 


ON  THE  DEATH 


gall  of  sin  and  vi-egar  of  wickedness! 
Sixthly,  From  these  words  of  our  dying 
Saviour,  //   is  consummated,  learn   to 
rejoice  that  the  whole  work  of  man's 
redemption  is  now  perfected ;  that  the 
figures  and  prophecies  of  the  law  are 
fulfilled,-  and  the  hand-writing  that  stood 
against  us  is  now  completely  cancelled 
by  the  blood   of  our   Eedeemer.     Se- 
venthly, From  those  last  words  of  our* 
expiring  Lord,  Father,  into  thy  hands  1 
commend  my  spirit,  learn  both  in  life 
and  death  to  commit  thyself  wholly  to 
God.    Happy  they  that  study  well  these 
lessons  which  their  great  Master  teach- 
es from  the  chair  of  his  cross. 


THIRTY-FIRST  DAY. 

ON   THE   DEATH   OF    OUR   SAVIOITE. 

Consider, /rs/,  how  our  Lord  having 
spoken  these  last  words,  Father,  into 
thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit,  with  a 
loud  and  strong  voice,  leaning  down  his 
head  in  perfect  submission  'to  his  Fa- 
ther's will,  and  perfect  charity  to  us 


OF   OUR   SAVIOUR. 


;kedness! 
ur  dying 
learn   to 
of  man's 
that  the 
law  are 
hat  stood 
cancelled 
ler.    Se- 
s  of  our* 
'  hands  1 
1  in  life 
wholly  to 
ell  these 
;r  teach- 


181 


OUE. 

;  having 
ler,  into 
,  with  a 
uwD  hi-*? 
his  Fa- 
y  to  us 


poor  sinners,  to  whom  in  this  posture 
he  offered  as  it  were  the  kiss  of  peace, 
breathed  forth  his  pure  soul,  and  thus 
ended  his  mortal  Iif;3j  which,  from  the 
moment  of  his  birth  till  now,  had  been 
nothing  else  but  a  series  of  sufferings 
endured  for  us.     Hasten  now,  my  soul, 
and  approach  boldly  to  kiss  the  sacred 
feet   of  thy  Redeemer,  view  his   pale 
•limbs,  count  at  leisure  all  his  wounds, 
and  lament  all  thy  sins,  for  which  he 
suffered  such  exquisite  torments. 

Consider,  secondly,  in  the  passion  of 
our  Saviour,  the  truth  of  those  words, 
which  were  delivered  by  him  upon  an- 
other occasion,  He  that  humbleth  him- 
selj  shall  he  exalted:  and  see  how  our 
Lord,  having  humbled  himself  to  the 
death  of  the  cross,  was  even  at  that 
very  time  honoured  and  exalted  by  his 
heavenly  Father,  and  that  many  ways, 
i^or  during  the  time  he  hung  upon  the 
cross,  the  sun  for  three  whole  hours 
withdrew  his  light  from  the  world:  and 
at  nis  deatn  the  earth  trembled,  the 
rocks  were  rent  asunder,  and  the  monu- 
ments opened :  the  veil  of  the  temple, 


182 


ON  THE  DEATH 


Which  hung  before  the  sanctuary,  was 
rent  from  top  to  bottom:  the  people, 
touched  with  these  wonders,  went  home 
strikmg  their  breasts;  and  the  centurion 
or  captain  of  the  guards  publicly  pro- 
fessed, that  this  man,  whom  they  had 
crucified,  was  truly  the  Son  of  God. 
fiejoice    O  Christian  soul!  to  see  thv 
SaviouK's   death    thus   honoured;    and 
cT  """^^l^  «'l  events   to  confide  in 
Ood,  who  will  at  last  convert  the  malice 
ot  thy  enemies  to  thy  honour  and  ad- 
vantage.     Sit  now  down  at  the  foot  of 
the  cross,  and  there  at  leisure. 

CoNsiDEK,  thirdly,  and  repeat  in  thv 
mind  the  multitude  and  variety  of  the 
sufierings  which   thy  Saviour  has  en! 
durec  for  thee,  from  his  entrance  into 
the  garden  of  Gethsemani,  till  his  ex- 
piring on   the  cross.     View  them  one 
by  one  and  thou  shalt  see,  that  not  one 
part  of  his  sacred  body  (which  being 
the  most  perfect,  was  to  the  same  timi 
the  most  sensible  of  pain  of  any  that 
has  ever  been)  was  free  from  it/n«n„. 
nar  torment.     His  Acarf  crowned  w[»h 
thorns;   h 


face  defiled   with  spittle, 


OF   OUE   SAVIOUE. 


183 


ary,  was 
people, 
snt  home 
enturion 
cly  pro- 
ley  had 
of  God. 
see  thy 
}d ;    and 
ifide   in 
3  malice 
and  ad- 
foot  of 

in  thy 

of  the 
las  en- 
ice  into 
his  ex- 
>m  one 
lot  one 

being 
le  time 
y  that 

i 

i  with 
jpittle, 


bruised,  and  swoln  black  and  blue  with 
blows;  his  hair  and  heard  plucked  and 
torn;  his  mouth  drenched  with  gall  and 
vinegar;  his  shoulders  oppressed  with 
the  heavy  weight  of  the  cross;  his  hands 
and  feet  pierced  with  nails;  his  whole 
body  exhausted  with   a  bloody  sweat, 
mangled  and  laid  open  with  whips  and 
scourges;  his  limbs  wearied  out,  and  all 
disjointed  upon  the  cross.    What  he  en- 
dured in  his  soul  was  not  a  jot  less,  but 
rather  infinitely  more  painful  than  what 
he  suffered  in  nis  body.     Witness  that 
mortal   anguish   which   cast   him   into 
an  agony  in  the  garden;  witness  that 
grievous  complaint  on  the  cross,   My 
God!  my  God!  why  hast  thou  forsaken 
me?    He  suffered  moreover  in  his  re- 
putation, by  false  witnesses  and  outra- 
geous calumnies,  which  is  often  dearer 
to  a  man  than  his  life:  he  suffered  in 
his  honour,  by  all  manner  of  reproaches 
and  affronts:  he  suffered  in  his  goods, 
being  despoiled  of  his  very  clothes,  and 

han^inor    nnlrfid    nnnn  i\\a  n.'r\aa.    l^rtciiT 

fered  in  his  friends,  being  forsaker  »y 
them  all:  not  to  speak  of  other  sui^ir- 


184 


ON   THE   DEATH 


'ngs,  which  are  usuallv  ^    . 

to  flesh  and  blood  vi^.i"  '^"'''''° 

of  those  whon    he  L^  r^  '"g'-atilude 

mies,  their  in,,!,/"""''''"  °'' '''«  ene- 
&c.  And  in  al  .K°'""  '"^  *'^«ip'e«. 
denied  himself  fh.      ^^  f  "fferingsf  he 

"dually  aSsfc^"'"'^'"''  ""^'^^  he 

-osseJ,a„dwLtL\"ri"t'''''^'^ 
est  torment,  nf  ,.  "^^^  ^^de  the  great- 
tolerable  b-      »^?  '""'■'y''^  "ot  only 

fortabi.'  t  rsraT'  r  ^-^"^ 

no  other  comrn-ri,  ?    ?    "°^^  himse  f 

will  of  his  Ser  «  !,^^'  °^  '^°'"g  the 
redemption      *^''  ^"^  Purchasin|our 

fersTllTh^^^f^^'-hoitisthatsuf. 

to,be  the  eternal  ^o'„°V  Co?"'  '''"' 
nal,  co-equal  anri  ^^     ^      °'''  ^o-eter- 

Father,  tie  great  tTa^'T^^  '">  ^is 
heaven'  and  SMnfint*^  •^'''^^^  "^  . 
'n  wisdom,  and  b  all  n!  f   .•""  P°^^'' 
for  whom  'does  he  sufffrf  pr"    ^"' 
poor  wretched  worm  of  L        ^?"'  " 

"ngrateful  sinners  ^raL.^^u''^  f»' 
fifll  P,.*u     """^f  t^Sj  traitors  to  his  ptf.r 
nai  leather,  and  tn  h; ^^  "  "is  eter- 

veryJews-that-c7udfi;T'^:4>-h- 


OF  OtTR  SAVIOUR.  185 

mortals  who  for  the  most  part  were 
never  hke  to  thank  him  for,  or  everso 
much  as  think  of,  his  suflbHngs  0° 
how  admirable  art  thou,  O  Lord  •  n  a^l 
thy  ways,  but  in  none  ^nore  so  than  in 
the   contrivances   of  thy   mercy'     o" 

of  Sd"    T/""'K^''^'"'>''*«"''utes 
rnfln^f         \  '^  ^^"^  ^e  discover  his 

wond  rffn^'^r"  ^"'!  *";»"'y'  i"  thus 
us    Ind   111     '"T'^T^^'^S  himself  to 

sars'lTlre°:f^''''n°'°"' 
nai-nii^i^j       nere  we  discover  his  un- 

paialle  ed  mercy,  ,n  taking  upon  him- 
seU    our   miseries,   and  endLirinjr   the 
stripes  due  to  our  sins.     Here  we  be 
hold  the  admirable  wisdom  of  his  provi 

us  by  his  death.     Hero  we  learn  to  fear 
the  seventy  of  his  justice,  which  felU^ 

prevent  th^  terrors  of  his  iushVp    w 
mstantly  embracing  his  mercy  ?^  ^^ 


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186 


ON   THE   DEATH,  ETC. 


Consider,  ffthly^  in  the  sufferings 
of  thy  Saviour,  the  infinite  malice,  the 
unparalleled  heinousness  of  mortal  sin, 
which  could  not  be  cancelled  but  by  the 
blood  of  the  Son  of  God.  This  is  the 
chief  lesson  which  thy  Saviour  desires 
to  teach  thee,  from  the  chair  of  the 
cross;  thou  canst  not  please  him  bet- 
ter than  by  studying  it  well.  O!  never 
then  be  so  ungrateful  as  to  crucify  him 
again  by  mortal  sip.  O !  suffer  not  that 
monster  to  live  in  thee,  for  the  destroy- 
ing of  which  Christ  himself  would  die. 


THE  END. 


uffe  rings 
alice,  the 
ortal  sin, 
ut  by  the 
lis  is  the 
r  desires 
r  of  the 
him  bet- 
0!  never 
cify  him 
'  not  that 
destroy- 
mld  die. 


RULES  OF 

A  CHRISTIAN  LIFE. 

To  he  observed  hy  such  as  desire  to  se- 
cure to  themselves  a  happy  eternity. 

Settle  in  thy  soul  a  firm  resolution, 
on  no  account  whatever  to  consent  to 
mortal  sm.  This  resolution  is  the  very 
foundation  of  a  virtuous  life:  whosoever 
IS  not  arrived  thus  far,  has  not  as 
yet  begun  to  serve  God.  Without  this 
resolution,  it  is  in  vain  for  any  one  to 
fla  ter  himself  with  the  hopes  of  living 
hohly,  or  dying  happily.  ^ 

2.  In  order  to  enable  thyself  to  keep 
this  resolution,  be  diligent  in  flying  all 
dangerous  occasions,  such  as  bad  com- 
pany, lewd  or  profane  books,  immodest 
plays,  &c.  for  he  that  loves  the  danser. 
shall  perish  in  it.  Eccl.  iii.  27. 

3.  Watch  every  motion  of  thy  heart, 
and  resist  the  first  impressions  of  evil' 
Keep  a  strict  guard  upon  thy  senses 
and  imagination,  that  the  enemy  may 
not  surprise  thy  soul  by  these  avenues 


:i 


188       RULES  OF  A  CHRISTIAN  LIFE. 

Contemn  not  small  faults,  lest  by  de-^ 
grees  thou  fall  into  greater. 

4.  Fly  an  idle  life,  as  the  mother  of 
all  mischief;  and  take  it  for  a  certain 
truth,  that  indulgence  will  never  bring 
a  Christian  to  heaven. 

5.  Never  omit,   upon   any   account 

thy  morning  and  evening  prayers. 

Kemember  in  the  morning  to  present 
to  God  the  first  fruits  of  the  day,  by 
giving  him  thy  first  thoughts;  make 
an  offering  to  him  of  all  the  actions  of 
the  day,  and  renew  this  oblation  at  the 
beginning  of  every  thing  thou  dost: 
Whether  you  eat  or  drink,  says  St.  Paul, 
1  Cor.  X.  31.  or  whatever  else  you  do, 
do  all  for  the  glory  of  God, 

6.  In  thy  evening  prayers  make  a 
strict  examination  of  conscience,  call- 
ing thyself  to  an  account  how  thou  hast 
passed  the  day;  and  whatever  sins  thou 
discoverest,  labour  to  wash  them  away 
by  penitential  tears,  before  thou  layest 
thyself  down  to  sleep:  for  who  knows 
but  that  night  may  be  thy  last.  In 
going  to  bed,  think  on  the  grave;  com- 
pose thyself  to  rest  in  the  arms  of  thy 


E. 

by  de-^ 

)ther  of 

certain 

Jr  bring 

account 
yers. — 
present 
day,  by 
;  make 
tions  of 
1  at  the 
u  dost: 
>t.  Paul, 
you  do, 

nake  a 
e,  call- 
ou  hast 
ns  thou 
1  away 
layest 
knows 
St.    In 

,*  com- 
of  thy 


RULES  OF  A  CHRISTIAN  LIFE.       189 

God:  and  if  thou  wake  in  the  night, 
raise  thy  thoughts  to  him,  who  always 
watches  over  thee. 

7.  Besides  morning  and  evening  de- 
votions, set  apart  some  time  in  the  day 
for  prayer,  particularly  mental,  by  an 
interior  conversation  of  thy  soul  with 
God,  her  only  sovereign  good.  In  the 
midst  of  all  thy  employments,  keep 
thyself  as  much  as  possible  in  the  pre- 
sence of  God,  and  frequently  aspire  to 
him  by  short  ejaculations.  Read  often 
spiritual  books,  as  letters  or  messages 
sent  thee  from  heaven:  and  if  thy  cir- 
cumstances permit,  assist  daily  at  the 
sacrifice  of  the  mass. 

8.  Frequent  the  sacraments  at  least 
once  a  month,  and  take  special  care  to 
prepare  thyself  to  receive  them  worthily. 

9.  Have  a  great  devotion  to  the  pas- 
sion of  Christ,  and  often  meditate  upon 
his  sufferings.  "  » 

10.  Be  particularly  devout  to  his 
blessed  mother;  take  her  for  thy  mo- 
ther, and  seek  upon  all  occasions  her 
protection  and  prayers;  but  iearn  withal 
to  imitate  her  virtues. 


t 


190       RULES  OF  A  CHRISTIAN  LIFE. 

11.  Study  to  find  out  thy  predomi- 
nant passion,  and  labour  with  all  thy 
power  to  root  it  up.  ^ 

12.  Let  not  a  day  pass  without  ofl^er- 
mg  to  God  some  acts  of  contrition  for 
past  sms,  and  strive  to  nourish  in  thv 
soul  a  penitent  spirit. 

13.  Beware  of  self  love  as  thy  great- 
est enemy,  and  often  use  violence  to 
thyself  by  self-denials  and  mortifica- 
tions; for,  remember  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  not  to  be  taken  but  by  vio- 
lence, St.  Matt.  xi.  12. 

.14.  Give  alms  according  to  thy  abil- 
ity :  for  judgment  without  mercy  to  him 
that  has  not  showed  mercy,  St.  James  ii. 
1|3.  bet  a  great  value  upon  spiritual 
alms-deeds,  by  endeavouring  to  reclaim 
unhappy  sinners:  and  for  that  end  daily 
bewail  their  misery  in  the  sight  of  God. 

15.  Be  exact  in  all  the  duties  of  thy 
calling,  as  being  to  give  an  account  one 
day  to  that  great  Master,  who  has  al- 
lotted  to  each  one  of  us  our  respective 
station  in  his  family. 

16.  Bemember  always  thy  last  end 
and  thou  shalt  never  sin.  Eccl.  vii. 


i'OCJ>|. 


FE. 


predomi- 
i  all  thy 

)ut  offer- 
ition  for 
\i  in  thy 

ly  great- 
lence  to 
lortifica- 
^dom  of 
by  vio- 

hy  abil- 
y  to  him 
ames  ii. 
ipiritual 
reclaim 
id  daily 
of  God. 
i  of  thy 
unt  one 
has  al- 
ipective 

St  end 

*  • 

11. 


ACTS  OF 

FAITH,  HOPE,  AND  CHARITY. 

Jiecommended  to  the  frequent  use  of  the  Fmihfui. 

A  PRAYER  TO  BE  SAID  BEFORE  THESE  ACTS. 

O  Almighty  and  eternal  God!  grant  to  us 
the  increase  of  Faith,  Hope,  and  Charity  and 
that  we  may  deserve  to  obtain  what  thou 
promisest,  make  us  to  love  what  7hou  com^ 
mandest.     Through  Christ  our  LovlVrZ, 

AN    ACT   OF    FAITH. 

I  FIRMLY  believe  there  is  one  God,  and  that 
m  this  one  God  there  are  three  pe  sons,  the 
Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost;  that 
from  ?1?  *r^^^hi"^«elf  the  nature  of  man 
from  the  Virgin  Mary's  womb,  by  the  opera- 

i^-^^r""  ^'''"''"  "^^"'•«»  he  was  crucified 
and  died  for  us;  that  afterwards  he  rose  again 
and  ascended  up  into  heaven,  from  whenfe  he 
shall  come  to  repay  the  jusl  eVerlastTng  gW 
Moreover ""ihpl-^  everiasting  punishl^trll 
it  oCl;  l^^^»^^«  whatever  else  the  Catho- 
..c  v^xxUx^h  proposes  to  be  believed,  and  this 
because  God,  who  is   the   sovereign   truth 
which  can  ne  ther  deceive  nor  be  deceived 
has  revealed  all  these  things  to  this  his  ChS! 


192         ACTS  OF  FAITH,  HOPE,  ETC. 


. 


AN   ACT   or   HOPE. 

nn?  fif  ^^V  -^^^'"^  °"  ^^y  al"^ighty  power, 
and  thy  infinite  mercy  and  goodness,  and 
because  thou  art  faithful  to  thy  promises  I 
trust  in  thee  that  thou  wilt  grant  me  forgTv'e-' 

?hH«f  r^..''"''  ^^T?^  ^^^  ^^"^«  of  Jesus 
Christ  thy  Son:  and  that  thou  wilt  give  mo 

the  assistance  of  thy  grace,  with  which  I 

may  labour  to  continue  to  the  end  in  the 

diligent  exercise  of  all  gdod  works,  and  may 

nrn^V«%'-  ""k'^'"  '^^  ^^^'^  ^^^^^   ^hou  ha/u 
promised  in  heaven. 

AN  ACT  OP   CHARITY. 

O  Lord!  my  God!  I  love  thee  with  my 

thou,  O  God!  art  the  sovereign  good;  and  for 
thy  own  infinite  perfections,  art  most  worthy 
of  all  love.  And,  for  thy  sake,  I  also  love 
my  neighbour  as  myself. 

AN   ACT   OF   CONTRITION. 

O  MY  God!  for  the  sake  of  thy  aovereign 
goodness,  and  infinite  perfection,  which  I  love 
above  all  things,  I  am  exceedingly  sorry  from 
the  botK>m  of  my  heart,  and  am  grieved  for 
having  offended,  Iw  my  sins,  this  thy  infinite 
ffoodness:  and  I  firmlv  roonKrr.    k«  *u^  *..«;- 

tance  Of  thy  grace,  never  more  to  offend  thee 
tor  the  time  to  come,  and  carefully  to  avoid 
the  occasions  of  sin. 


OPE,  ETC. 


)PE. 

almighty  power, 
d  goodness,  and 
>  thy  promises,  I 
grant  me  forgive-' 
e  merits  of  Jesus 
lou  wilt  give  mo 
3,  with  which  I 
the  end  in  the 
works,  and  may 
which  thou  haaU 


# 


ITT. 

3  thee  with  my 
things,  because 
jn  good ;  and  for 
art  most  worthy 
ike,  I  also  love 


riOK. 

i  thy  Bovereign 
on,  which  I  love 
ingly  sorry  from 
am  grieved  for 
this  thy  infinite 


rC,     UJ 


e  to  offend  theo 
refully  to  avoid 


^i 


% 


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